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Rehearsal TimesTuesday Evenings: 7:00 - 9:00pm ..... Community Band The SACB Calendar begins the first Tuesday after the September long weekend and runs through to our June concert. We break for Christmas, and Spring Break. We perform in a variety of venues in the Edmonton and St. Albert areas, including; the Winspear Centre, Arden Theatre, Red Deer International Band Festival, Festival Place in Sherwood Park, Yardbird Suite, the Provincial Museum and in conjunction with a variety of school music programs. HistorySt. Albert Community Band began in 1970. Band membership has grown in the past 39 years and currently stands at over 70 players. Members are from all walks of life and range in age from teens to retirees, truly reflecting the band’s motto: Music is for Life! Over the years, the band has served the community through performances in schools, hospitals, seniors’ homes, and parks in addition to the annual Christmas and Spring concerts. Full band workshops and sectional clinics with guest conductors have been a vital part of the band’s growing level of competence. The band has participated in the Alberta Band Association Music Festival, Music Fest Canada, and the Northern Alberta Music Festival. On occasion, the band has gone on tour. Destinations have included Oregon, Victoria, Banff, Jasper, and Medicine Hat. Recordings were made to celebrate the band’s 25th and 30th anniversaries. The band’s 35th anniversary, and Alberta’s 100th anniversary, was marked with a special concert hosted by St. Albert Community Band at Winspear Centre. Centennial Celebration of Community Bands included guest bands from Edmonton, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Okotoks, and Camrose. A recording was made of the event. A highlight in the band’s history, and of its 35th anniversary, was performing for HRH Queen Elizabeth II on the grounds of the provincial museum. A variety of conductors have led St. Albert Community Band. Laurelie Nattress, who has been with the band since 1996, is music director for the 2009/2010 season. Laurelie, a saxophonist, has worked as a music educator at all levels from kindergarten to university for over twenty-five years. In addition to the concert band, St. Albert Community Band formed a jazz band in 1985. As well as performing at the Christmas and Spring concerts, this band has participated in Edmonton Jazz City and performed at Yardbird Suite. As with the concert band, guest clinicians and workshops have been an important part of the jazz band’s development. Tom Smyth is the conductor of the jazz band for the 2009/2010 season. Tom began with the community band teaching an adult beginner band. After his first stint as the community band director, Tom began the Jazz Band program, today recognized as one of the best amateur jazz bands in Alberta. The Jazz Band has received several Gold Awards at local music festivals under Tom's direction. Tom taught music and science at Paul Kane High School in St. Albert, but is now enjoying retirement and traveling with his wife Mary. Our MottoMusic is for Life! Other Info |