The Second Wind Community Band is two years away from their 20th anniversary and they are starting their preparations for celebrations with their upcoming 2011/12 season.
The Second Wind goes back to work this year on Thursday, September 8, with registration (at 6 pm) and their first rehearsal (at 7 pm) at Malcolm Munroe Junior High School on Kenwood Drive in Sydney River.
And to bring as many music enthusiasts into the 20th anniversary celebrations as possible, Second Wind will have a meeting that evening (while the returning musicians resume their regular rehearsals), also at 7 pm, for those with 6 plus notes under their belt or for those who need a refresher on their concert band instrument.
Anyone with a musical background (no matter how far back in their past) will have an opportunity to join and re-learn their chops and meet plenty of people with a similiar interest in playing.
Second Wind Community Band is for musicians who want to continue playing their high school band instrument, who have chosen to study or work in Cape Breton, for those who are Music Educators or who play a concert band instrument proficiently and love to play and maintain their skills on their instrument with a quality concert band.
The group’s motto is “Music For Life” and they actively pursue a program of community supporting community. They perform three times a season as well as hosting the Bandfest in the fall to kick-start the season.
This fall, Second Wind Band conductors Laura Mercer and Sean McLennon will host the annual Cape Breton Community Band Fall Fest, Friday, September 30, Saturday, October 1, and Sunday, October 2 for concert band members who are 6 note plus players and for seasoned musicians, from around the Maritimes.
The guest conductors for the event will be Rowan Fitzgerald and Ron Murphy from PEI, and the weekend will end with a finale concert in the Wentworth Park Bandshell on Sunday, October 2, at 2 pm (weather permitting).
There will be two levels of bands at the fest: The First Wind MacKay Band and The Cape Breton Community Band Fall Fest Massed Band. Ken Foote and Maggie Helms will join the conducting team for this event and to lead the First Wind MacKay Band.
For more information, go to the group’s website or facebook page.
Laura Mercer says
Thanks for your support and I look forward to meeting new folk and welcoming back former members to our group tonight. We'll keep you posted on the bands news.
Laura Mercer