The beat goes on for the Greater Windsor Concert Band
The Better Windsor Live performance Band (GWCB) celebrated 25 years of music on Sunday with a free live performance on the Serbian Centre.
“I began the band as a result of there was a necessity for a group band, and there was a necessity that musicians needed to play in a band that was going to exit and play for the group,” mentioned Ric Moor, the group’s music director.
The 28-member ensemble has performed extensively in Michigan and was the primary Canadian band to be invited to play on the Pink Cedar Pageant of Neighborhood Bands in Okemos, Mich.
The band additionally toured Jap Canada in 2019, stopping in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Silver jubilee live performance
The live performance began with the nationwide anthems of Canada and Ukraine earlier than diving into songs featured in 2001: A House Odyssey.
A musical rendition of 4 of Aesop’s Fables have been additionally carried out. Bob Steele, former host of CBC Radio’s Afternoon Drive, narrated the 4 fables whereas the band performed behind him.
Music was featured from different films, together with Rooster Run and the Star Wars franchise.
Mike McNamara featured as a visitor guitarist on two songs after the intermission, considered one of which was Thunder, higher generally known as the NASCAR theme. Sunday’s live performance was the second time he has performed alongside the GWCB.
“I’ve recognized Ric for a very long time,” he mentioned. “He contacted me about doing one thing with the band, so right here we’re.”
“I began enjoying once I had youngsters,” mentioned clarinet participant Angela Manser, an unique member of the ensemble. “Since then, we have performed in church buildings, live shows and Christmas live shows. It was good publicity for my youngsters as properly.”
In the meantime, flutist and longtime member of the band Karen Barnes mentioned she admires the best way the band hasn’t hesitate in altering form over time.
“Totally different devices, totally different folks, totally different music,” mentioned Barnes, who additionally performs piccolo. “It has been fantastic.”
Manser, Barnes and McNamara mentioned the longevity of the band will be attributed to the group’s dedication to offering stay music to the group.
Though the band is all the time searching for new members, Moor mentioned they’ve a specific want for clarinet and French horn gamers. Potential members are inspired to come back out to rehearsals on Wednesday nights on the Optimist Band Centre.
The GWCB will carry out at Tecumseh Mall on Saturday earlier than enjoying on the Santa Claus Parades of Amherstburg and Windsor.
The band will end the 12 months with their Christmas live performance on Dec. 11 on the Windsor Sportsmen’s Membership.
