There are many topics for me to write about other than the Wallaceburg Concert Band, but having just completed a concert on April 13, I have something that is bothering me.

When our band was first formed, I had no aspirations other than to gather as many former students of mine as I could and see if we could gel into a band.

We of course had no instruments, no place to rehearse and no audience.

I wasn’t sure if there was even an appetite for traditional band music anymore. After all, it had been a few decades since the remnants of the Wallaceburg Kiltie, Community and New Horizons bands had played a note.

Fast forward to today and the goals have radically changed.

It’s no longer acceptable for our musicians to play left over scores from my years at WDSS. It’s no longer acceptable to play music that doesn’t challenge our musicians. And it’s no longer acceptable to simply sit in a gym and play music.

Our organization has evolved into a sophisticated group of keen musicians who are driven to succeed on many fronts.

If you’ve attended any of our concerts, you are aware that we attempt to provide much more than a steady diet of Sousa marches (not that there is anything wrong with them) or overtures and suites that no one has ever heard of.

The moment you enter the Webber Auditorium at WDSS you will see a decorated set. You will find a tiered stage, our own LED lighting system, a sophisticated audio set-up, a video screen displaying high resolution images of our members and what instrument(s) they play (so we don’t have to print programs), roles within the band structure, ads for upcoming........

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