Kemptville Community Concert Band kicks off new season of music Sept. 8

Posted Sep 1, 2011 By Liam Brennan

EMC News - Remember those great times being in the high school concert band? Now you can bring back some of the fun and excitement of playing music with your peers in the Kemptville Community Concert Band (KCCB).

The band was formed in March of 2009 after a couple of married musicians Cheryl and Mike Kryvenchuk, decided to take matters into their own hands and see how much interest there was in forming a concert band in the area. Previously, Kemptville musicians had to travel to Brockville, Perth, or Ottawa if they wanted to join a concert band.

Kemptville's concert band is directed by Christine Lockie, a high school music teacher who has been at home with her young children for the past few years.

"I like the mix of generations. Parents can play with their kids and be on an equal footing," says Lockie.

Many of the adults that come to play in the band have not played since high school and yet it's as if they never stopped. The support, camaraderie, and acceptance of everyone who comes to band are phenomenal and the initial trepidation of playing after so long vanishes as you walk through the door.

In its short history, KCCB has performed at a fundraiser for the House of Lazarus, A Country Christmas Remembered in Spencerville, Bayfield Manor in Kemptville, the Dandelion Festival, cadet reviews, a fundraiser for the North Grenville Public Library's 'Room to Read' campaign and joint concerts with the Ottawa Valley Wind Ensemble and the Ottawa Valley Male Choir.

The band has earned a gold standing twice in the Brockville Lions Club Music Festival as well. After last year's Brockville festival, KCCB was asked to enter in the community concert band category at the provincial level where they became a provincial finalist.

Liam Brennan, Grade 11 student at St. Michael Catholic High School, has introduced the band to some new music in his role as student conductor.

He conducts the pieces he has introduced under the guidance of primary conductor, Christine Lockie. He chooses music from a wide variety of genres, from fanfares to lyrical. His favourite piece is called 'Critical Mass.' The piece is speedy and full of action and sure to be a hit with youths and adults alike.

"With all the adults in the band, we can play more challenging music, and those with less experience benefit from the additional training they receive which they can bring to their own teachers and bands," he says.

As well as being the student conductor, Brennan is also the youth representative. His role is to scope out youths in the area and convince them to join the band. Being in the band is a great way to experience a more adult musical atmosphere and be introduced to a different choice of music. All the band members look forward to helping cultivate young musicians' interest in music and to possibly strengthen their future in the music field either for post-secondary training or just as a hobby.

As well, it is a really fun and valuable way to gain mandatory volunteer hours because of the band's ties to the community by way of supporting various organizations through concerts and fundraising.

The band will begin its new season on Sept. 8 with rehearsals on Thursday evenings at St. Michael Catholic High School in Kemptville from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the music room. If you are someone who knows how to play a band instrument, come join us! If you are someone who used to know how to play a band instrument, might have forgotten how, but want to play again, come join us! If you have a band instrument that has been in your closet or under your bed for 15 years, come join us!

If you don't have an instrument, but would like to play, come join us (we can find you an instrument)! All you need is enthusiasm and a love for music!

For more information on the Kemptville Community Concert Band, visit www.kemptvilleband.ca or contact Christine Lockie at 613-258-6766.

Submitted by Liam Brennan, Kemptville Community Concert Band.