by Jo Barnes | photos by Kathryn Alvarez Photography –
You hear a song, and immediately you’re transported back to a particular moment in time. Music not only has the power to move and inspire us, but it also has the ability to evoke strong memories.
Sidney Concert Band has been sharing the power of music for many years, but never is this more meaningful than on Remembrance Day.
Yvonne Kupsch, band member and Past President, shares: “Across the ages and cultures, music has the ability to bring people together like nothing else can. It can serve to strengthen community and to bring back tender memories from the past, all at the same time. Our goal is to give our local community an opportunity to come together for a few hours, and publicly recognize the sacrifices made by so many people throughout the years in conflicts around the world, to secure a better future for all.”
Since 1986, the Sidney Concert Band has been creating music, entertaining, and inspiring audiences. The band’s “Salute to Our Veterans” concert on November 6 at the Mary Winspear Centre showcases this. “This concert has been done for many years. It originated with conductors who had served with the military and were members of the Naden Band,” notes Bruce Ham, band conductor.
The Remembrance Day concert will not only include traditional pieces such as Amazing Grace on the bagpipes, The Last Post on trumpet, and the Sons of the Veterans March, but it will also offer other uplifting elements.
“The second half of the concert will be a celebration of the end of World War II,” shares Bruce. “We’ll offer the song In the Mood and Jim Kingham, one of our sax players, will be singing Stardust.”
In addition to the music, a highlight of the afternoon’s entertainment will be an interview with special guest, Retired Commander, Peter Chance, a 101-year-old Sidney veteran.
“We’re hoping that after the concert everyone can leave with a smile on their face and a good feeling from this Remembrance Day event,” says Bruce.
Connecting with audiences is central to this band’s goals and stretches far beyond Remembrance Day.
“We are involved in as many community events as we can,” says Bruce. “We hope audiences enjoy the music we are playing.”
Musicians play wind, brass and percussion instruments. They span a range of ages and skill from a few years experience to those who play professionally, but the common denominator is a love of playing music.
“The age range is early 20s to mid-80s, but we’re like a big family,” comments Bruce. “Everyone enjoys playing music and sharing this with the community.”
Bruce, who taught school band for 35 years in School District 61, has played with numerous local groups and is currently also a trombone player with the Commodores Big Band. His passion for music and leading others began at an early age.
“When I was growing up, there was always music in the house. My mom told me that at a church Christmas event where music was being performed, I started to conduct everybody,” shares Bruce, adding with a laugh, “I was only four years old at the time.”
Developing music to performance standards takes time, commitment and practise. Band members work closely together to master each piece of music. It means constant collaboration towards harmony and quality of sound.
“Music is the levelling factor. As a musician, you have to match those around you,” notes Bruce. “An older fine musician might play alongside a relatively new player. They help each other out.”
For Bruce, the journey of leading musicians from tentative first notes to mastering performance level is very satisfying.
“To bring a group of people from the beginning of a project to the end, to see them perform with confidence, to see them develop as musicians, all of it gives me a deep feeling of accomplishment and pride,” shares Bruce.
Along the way, band members often form lifelong connections.
Saxophone player, Jim Kingham, notes: “I have been with the Sidney Concert Band for more than 20 years. It has added such a great new dimension to my life. There are not many places one finds such a spirit of togetherness with men and women of all ages enjoying the unified act of improving their personal skills and entertaining their local community at the same time.”
Yvonne adds: “It has been a wonderful way to meet my neighbours both here in Sidney and around the Saanich Peninsula. Through the Sidney Concert Band, I’ve made many friends, and it’s always great to see them again each fall when the band reconvenes.”
Community connection and service, entertainment, and memories that will last a lifetime are all part of the Sidney Concert Band.
