Submitted by:
Jayne Leadbeater |

Swan Valley Community Band started Sept. 1994 with Julie Kooistra organizing & directing the group. There is a core of those charter members who are still participating.

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We average around 30-32 members every year, of all ages & experience. We have had a number of different directors within our group who take turns, giving Julie a chance to participate as a musician, not just as a Director.

Currently, we have 5 Directors who are also employed by the School Division.

We have had Regional School Band students involved in other years as well. We all have a good time doing something we love.

We usually have 2 concerts/year, Christmas (the first Wed. in Dec.) & Spring (last Wed. in April or first Wed. in May).

For the last 3 years, the First Baptist Church in Minitonas has invited us to perform our concert. We have had other road trips through the years.

We went to Pine River once to perform. We had 6 people from there, who loyally traveled all season to Swan River just to be in a band.

Our concerts are for everyone, and we offer refreshments & treats at every one. This allows our membership to converse with our dedicated audience.

Some have been part of our audience for years, and they are not obligatory family attendants. Over 140 people attended this season for both Concerts.

Brian Dormer & Rev. Herb Radke, who are band members, were the Master of Ceremonies. Martyn Snell directed his arrangement of a composition, allowing Julie Kooistra to play for at least one piece this semester.

Gordon Lincoln performed a trumpet solo with accompaniment by Martyn Snell.

The music was composed by Martyn. He contributes many talents to our organization.

We had a saxophone quintet for the very first time, organized by the Ecole South School Band Director, Dave McGarry, who has been with our group since 2011.

The “Tarnished Brass”, a brass quintet that plays music of many genres but similar to “The Canadian Brass” performed as well.

This group has been in existence for at least 9 years, and is lead by David Gnida. We have a jazz group “From the Top” that was able to play this semester due to commitments of some of the group.

Over the years, Swan Valley Community Band has donated to various charities, when the need arose. We our totally non-profit. Our fees are minimal compared to other activities and we practice in the Band Room at the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School, every Wednesday, at 7:30 p.m. from late September to the end of April. We are always looking for more members. And, ability or expertise is NOT an issue! We are always happy to have new people join us for a wonderful time.