Kelowna musician Dennis Leclair will perform his tribute song, To Our Canadian Troops, in Ottawa with the Central Band of the Canadian Forces at the National Arts Centre for MusicFest on May 18. The performance in the Southem Hall is for 2,500 music educators and band performers. MusicFest involves more than 10,000 musicians from across Canada. "This is truly an honour and a privilege to be granted this opportunity," said Leclair. In addition, the band arrangements of To Our Canadian Troops has been accepted for distribution to schools Canadawide by St. John‘s Music, he said. "I am moving closer to the goal of developing our song as the Canadian anthem for our Canadian Forces, their families and our veterans worldwide. Canada does not have such a song, and this performance at the National Arts Centre and the distribution with St. John‘s Music is a significant step forward." LeClair is donating all profits from the commemorative CD and the band music to three military charities: The Military Families, Soldier On and the Hospital Comfort funds. Leclair also performed the song for Prime Stephen Minister Harper and 1,800 dignitaries and guests on Nov. 10 at the True Patriot Love Dinner Gala held at the Toronto Convention Centre. For more information on LeClair and To Our Canadian Troops, go online to: toourcanadiantroops.ca.
