{"id":40497,"date":"2025-12-19T07:53:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T13:53:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/?p=40497"},"modified":"2025-12-19T01:27:41","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T07:27:41","slug":"this-is-christmas-community-band-concert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/2025\/12\/19\/this-is-christmas-community-band-concert\/","title":{"rendered":"This Is Christmas &#8211; Community Band Concert"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/EMHR2377-B.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/EMHR2377-B-475x318.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"475\" height=\"318\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-40498\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/EMHR2377-B-475x318.jpg 475w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/EMHR2377-B-228x153.jpg 228w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/EMHR2377-B-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/EMHR2377-B-768x515.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/EMHR2377-B.jpg 895w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px\" \/><\/a>Submitted by: Jayne Leadbeater |  Photography by Esther Nesbitt<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/BVQU9764-B.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/BVQU9764-B-475x233.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"475\" height=\"233\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-40501\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/BVQU9764-B-475x233.jpg 475w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/BVQU9764-B-228x112.jpg 228w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/BVQU9764-B-300x147.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/BVQU9764-B-768x376.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/BVQU9764-B.jpg 1225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>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. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FWWF8626.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FWWF8626-475x168.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"475\" height=\"168\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-40505\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FWWF8626-475x168.jpeg 475w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FWWF8626-228x81.jpeg 228w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FWWF8626-300x106.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FWWF8626-768x272.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FWWF8626-1536x543.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FWWF8626.jpeg 1696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8609-B.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8609-B-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignright size-large wp-image-40502\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8609-B-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8609-B-228x171.jpg 228w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8609-B-475x356.jpg 475w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8609-B-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8609-B.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>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. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/RNMC2272.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/RNMC2272-475x160.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"475\" height=\"160\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-40499\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/RNMC2272-475x160.jpeg 475w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/RNMC2272-228x77.jpeg 228w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/RNMC2272-300x101.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/RNMC2272-768x258.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/RNMC2272-1536x516.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/RNMC2272.jpeg 1785w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8615.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8615-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignright size-large wp-image-40500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8615-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8615-228x171.jpg 228w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8615-475x356.jpg 475w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8615-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8615.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>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\u2019s former Trumpet section mates, David Gnida &#038; Kim Kosowkosky, dedicated the Frank Sinatra song, \u201cMy Way\u201d, to Rick who always played \u2018his way\u2019 at Concerts by standing up and doing a solo from memory. And, sometimes, as a surprise! David then performed \u201cIl Silenzio\u201d for Rick, a Veteran &#038; Armed Forces Trumpeter, and Addy who was from the Netherlands. \u201cIl Silenzio\u201d is a memorial piece commissioned by the Dutch and first played in 1965 on the 20th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/XEBP8092.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/XEBP8092-475x220.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"475\" height=\"220\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-40504\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/XEBP8092-475x220.jpeg 475w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/XEBP8092-228x106.jpeg 228w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/XEBP8092-300x139.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/XEBP8092-768x356.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/XEBP8092.jpeg 1296w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>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. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8597.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8597-475x262.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"475\" height=\"262\" class=\"alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-40506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8597-475x262.jpg 475w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8597-228x126.jpg 228w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8597-300x165.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8597-768x424.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8597.jpg 1088w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8594.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8594-475x356.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"475\" height=\"356\" class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-40503\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8594-475x356.jpg 475w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8594-228x171.jpg 228w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8594-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8594-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8594.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Concert was videoed by Kevin Penner of the Westman ACCESS TV, Swan River.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[24,13,16],"class_list":["post-40497","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-local","tag-arts-entertainment","tag-coverage","tag-life"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40497","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40497"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40497\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40497"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40497"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swanriver.valleybiz.ca\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40497"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}