Play with the Community Band

STRINGS (PLUS BRASS, WOODWINDS AND PERCUSSION) ATTACHED: Check out the Community Band’s open rehearsals at Brooks September 15 & 22.

BY ANN TROUSDELL

The Powell River Community Band is an independent, self-supporting organization, consisting of woodwind, brass and percussion players with a passion for playing together. While most band members pay an annual fee, the band financially supports students and others in need, which gives everyone an opportunity to join the band.

Late in 2021 a somewhat reduced number of us began rehearsals again under strict Covid rules. With limited performance opportunities we invited family and friends to a rehearsal concert at the Evergreen Theatre in March 2022, which was very well received. Then on June 11 in the Rotary Pavilion at Willingdon Beach, the Band performed a free open-air concert.

The continuing bad weather in June almost cancelled our performance which was originally planned for the Loggers’ Bowl. We moved the concert to the protective cover of the Pavilion at the last minute. Much to our surprise we discovered that our sound, when directed into the centre of the Pavilion, was exemplary!! Before the start of the actual concert we treated our audience to a selection of favourite Jazz and Pop tunes played by a smaller group of Community Band members.

The Community Band has a long, interesting history dating back to 1913, when Powell River had a community band called the ‘greatest band in the world.’ There are pictures of this band at the qathet Museum and in the Brooks Secondary School hallway.

It was in 1996 that Walter Martella began his illustrious 18 years of conducting the Community Band. At that time rehearsals were held in portable classrooms outside the Music Academy. Roy Carson became conductor of the band in 2014, and has taken us to yet another performance level. He is also a highly trained Powell River born and raised musician and educator who commits extraordinary amounts of his time and energy to the mentoring of students and fellow musicians alike.

In 2021, the band welcomed Steven Cramaro as conductor of the beginners’ band, enabling the organization to welcome even the most novice players to join. Not only do we welcome young students but also adults who now want to play that old instrument again!

The objective of the band is to operate and maintain a community-based concert band and associated ensembles in the qathet region, and to encourage and provide opportunities for adults and students to develop and express their musical talent.

We are committed to holding at least three public concerts each year to showcase the concert band and ensembles. One of those concerts is often part of an out-of-town excursion!

At the beginning of each year we have an intensive retreat; one full day of playing to get in shape for our fall/ winter concert. This year it will take place on September 24th on Texada Island.

How to join

Any adult or student playing a brass, woodwind instrument or percussion, with basic band experience, is invited to check us out. You might want to consider joining the band in September! Our practices are held on Thursday evenings at Brooks School in the band room. We will have open rehearsals Sept 15 and 22.

For more information, contact christien.kaaij@gmail.com