Submitted by: Jayne Leadbeater | Photography by Esther Nesbitt
Another Christmas Concert is behind the Swan Valley Community Band after 31 years performing. Technically this would be their thirty-second since Christmas of 1994. The musical evening on Wednesday, 10 December 2025 was a resounding success that included a standing ovation! Unfortunately, the new SVRSS Concert Hall has not opened, so the SVRSS Cafeteria was our venue.
The audience has grown, as well as the challenge of the music, conducted by our founder and leader, Julie Kooistra. A crowd of over 100 people enjoyed the music of 24 musicians. There are usually 28 eager members but for various reasons some were unable to attend at the last minute.
And, added to the evening, was the sound from 22 fabulous voices directed by Brenna Smith and Nic Stroud of the Swan Valley Community Choir. They were accompanied by Brenna Smith on her violin, Suzanne Eisler on Flute, Caroline Zinkiew and Martyn Snell on piano.
Included in the program was a surprise tribute to two of the Swan Valley Community Band past members who passed away last May on the same day. They were Rick Houle, a Trumpeter for 20 years in our group, and Addy Oberlin, a clarinetist for 14 years. Two of Rick’s former Trumpet section mates, David Gnida & Kim Kosowkosky, dedicated the Frank Sinatra song, “My Way”, to Rick who always played ‘his way’ at Concerts by standing up and doing a solo from memory. And, sometimes, as a surprise! David then performed “Il Silenzio” for Rick, a Veteran & Armed Forces Trumpeter, and Addy who was from the Netherlands. “Il Silenzio” is a memorial piece commissioned by the Dutch and first played in 1965 on the 20th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands.
Our Community Band is expanding to the delight of everyone concerned. Five people decided to join us this past September. Four others took the challenge 2 years ago. But there is ALWAYS room for more! Should you wish to play again, call Julie Kooistra 204-734-5139/Jayne Leadbeater 204-734-4771.
Concert was videoed by Kevin Penner of the Westman ACCESS TV, Swan River.