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8 July/august '97 wholenote ' SUMMER CONCERTS IN THE PARK The Bandstand is a column devoted to the band scene in and about Toronto. Hopefully we will keep you informed about events, concerts, news and all banding info. If we miss something you know about, let us . know. This column is written by John McGuigan, currently the executive secretary of the CANADIAN BAND ASSOCIATION (Ontario chapter). John's other hat is that of the publisher of COMPRINT a new catalogue of Canadian music for bands, schools, and community music organizations, COM PRINT has currently available about thirty new titles at various difficulty levels for band, and about twenty-five titles of choral music. He also edits the CBA FANFARE magazine. The summer is upon us and that is good news for community concert bands. Ontario has a rich tradition of music concerts in the parks over the last century. Right across our country and particularly in the Ontario countryside, community concert bands are busy preparing a variety of music, to entertain large audiences. People come by the hundreds to listen to Concert Band Concerts in parks and bandshells, on beautiful summer evenings, sometimes beside lakes and often blessed by cool evening breezes coaxed out of the sky by the cool music. Usually the customers are asked to bring their own lawn chairs for seating. Some even enjoy their picnic dinners prior to the concert. The music is usually light and predominantly familiar. Some adventurous bands test out their latest music acquisitions on the usually supportive audience. Sometimes the bands are made up of local musicians, but often bands will travel many miles to present concerts away from home. Audiences are encouraged to give free will contributions to the organizers of these events. Mostly the musicians play for the love of it but their groups do need to pay for the transportation, music, and catering of these concerts. Any contribution of a dollar or two is welcomed to defray these costs which are not often borne by the shrinking budgets of our local governments. There are many venues around the GT A Area where Sunday afternoon or evening concerts are regularly presented throughout the summer. At the risk of leaving out some of the places, here is a partial list of venues where a concert in the park can be enjoyed almost free. Cobourg Bandshell, Stratford Bandshell, Gravenhurst Music on the Barge, Kitchener/W aterloo, London, Orillia Aquatheatre, Oakville Bandshell, Etobicoke Centennial Park, Hamilton Dundurn Park and Mel Lastman Square in North York. One of the more interesting concerts planned is a concert by the Orillia Concert Band on Sunday June 29th in the Couchiching Park Aquatheatre at 7:00pm. Bob Plunkett, who has conducted the band for ten years, is retiring from this position and the concert will honour his . participation. Bob will conduct a few numbers and there will be a reception afterwards. Following is a list of concerts in July that have come to our attention. June 29th Muskoka District Band Gravenhurst On the Barge 7:30pm; July 1st Etobicoke Com. CB Centennial Park 11:45 am; July 6th Brampton CB Orillia Aquatheatre 7:00pm; July 6th Gravenhurst Bi-focals Band 7:30pm; July 9th Etobicoke Com CB Broadacres Pk in Etobicoke; July 13th Barrie CB Orillia Aquatheatre 7:00pm; July 13th Canadian Tribute to Glen Miller Mel Lastman Sq. North York 7:30pm; July 14th Canadian Tribute to Glen Miller Kingston Summer Festival Regina Rosen Aud. 8:00pm; July 17th North York CB Mel Lastman Sq. North York 7:30pm; July 20th North York CB Orillia Aquatheatre 7:00pm; July 20th Mississauga CB at Gravenhurst on the Barge. 7:30pm; July 26th Festival of the Sound Big Brass Concert 12:00 noon; July 27th Mariposa Jazz Band Orillia Aquatheatre 7:00 pm; July 27th RHLI Band Park Concert at Hamilton Dundurn Park 2:00pm; July 30th Etobicoke Com CB Broadacres Pk Etobicoke; July 31st National Band of the Naval reserve Molson Place Harbourfront 7:00; July 31st Etobicoke CB Mel Lastman Sq. North York 7:30pm. Band-Aid '97 In finishing this column I would like to mention that the CBA plans a Band Clinic on Sept 27th of this year and hopes to attract a large attendance to this clinic for band conductors, teachers and musicians. Keep the date open and watch for further announcements about this special event for bands. TORONTO'S ONLY COMPREHENSIVE MONTHLY CLASSICAL & CONTEMPORARY CONCERT LISTING SOURCE
Festivalorthe Sound James Campbell, Artistic Director July 18 -August 10, 1997 r--------------------• I Festival of the Sound I I 2 for 1 Coupon I I Redeemable for one regular Classics Concert ticket I ,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,, ,, ,,,,,,,,. I with the purchase of another ticket of equal value. I I Kindly note: Musical Cruises, Special Events, Opening Concert I I and Canadian Tribute to Glenn Miller not eligible for discount. I I Coupon may be presented at Box Office or at the door or may I I beforwardedwithticketorder. Phone705-746-2410toorder I I t~ets. 1 I ~-~------------------~ For a brochure or tickets, call 705-746-2410 or fax 705-746-5639 Write P.O. Box 750, Parry Sound, ON P2A 2Z1 e-mail: festival@cancom.net Visit our webpage: http://www~zeuter.com/parrysd/festival/ Box Office: 50 James St. Parry Sound ... and much more! Over 50 musical events!
