Harmony, both on the stage and off, is often at the heart of some of the most successful musical collaborations. This is indeed the case with UVic faculty cellist, Pamela Highbaugh Aloni and her friend and fellow-cellist, Paula Kiffner. The duo will perform along with pianist Jamie Syer on November 3 at UVic’s Phillip T. Young Recital Hall.

“Playing with her has always seemed so easy,” describes Highbaugh Aloni of Kiffner, whom she has been performing alongside in the Galiano Ensemble for over ten years now. The cellists had an instant connection, both on a musical and personal level, and have been good friends ever since. The two had been planning a concert together for quite some time and last year had the opportunity to perform at the Art Spring Series on Salt Spring Island accompanied by Jamie Syer. “We had such a good time preparing and performing the concert that we thought it would be great to perform it again,” says Highbaugh Aloni. “We are excited to play the program here as well as in Qualicum Beach.”

Pamela Highbaugh Aloni is a co-founding member of the prize-winning Lafayette String Quartet, another partnership that boasts a longevity – 26 years and counting – built on a strong foundation of friendships. Since 1991, Pamela has been an artist-in-residence at the School of Music, where she teaches cello, chamber music and co-supervises the strings mentoring course in collaboration with School District 61.

The concert on November 3 will include works by Handel, Bartók, Adaskin, Glière and others. “The two cellos allow for such a glorious range that there is the chance for great variety in texture and sound in the repertoire. The works with piano allow for even greater dimension and diversity,” describes Highbaugh Aloni. “It is our hope that the audience will have half the fun hearing this program as we have had putting it together.”

The concert is at 8:00 pm on Saturday, November 3, in the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall. Tickets are available from the UVic Ticket Centre and at the door.