It all started with a dearth of trombone players.
Exuding enthusiasm, Norma Jean Gomme told city council of her plans to bring a community band from Italy to Salmon Arm in August.
Gomme said the Italian band from the town of Nepi, north of Rome, would begin its tour in Vancouver and finish in Dawson Creek.
Her invitation to the Nepi band to come to Salmon Arm was not random.
“It’s a tale of three bands,” she smiled.
The tale began in 2014 when the community band in Dawson Creek sent out a desperate call for trombone players. The band was heading to Europe and not all of its members could go. Gomme quickly signed up, as did her father “as a groupie.”
“I had the distinct pleasure and distinct honour of going on a three week-or-so tour of western Europe…, she told council. “Italy, Austria, Hungary and Germany – playing music and meeting the people who hosted us.”
Community bands are an integral part of communities there, she said, so the B.C. band was able to visit places tourists wouldn’t normally get to, some with no train stations.
A message had been sent to community bands in western Europe saying that anyone interested in hosting the Dawson Creek band was invited to come to B.C. and Dawson Creek for a visit.
Nepi stepped up with amazing hospitality, she said.
“Most of the young people in Nepi are unemployed and most of the employed people are underemployed. Most young people are living at home well into their thirties,” she said. But despite this, the B.C. band was “welcomed like royalty.”
Music was played all day, people danced, bottles of wine were consumed and long celebratory speeches were made.
Gomme would like to see the Nepi band hosted in Salmon Arm with equal generosity.
She said she would be arranging billets, transportation, meals, entertainment and concert venues for the Salmon Arm dates.
Her goal, she said, is to have partnerships with local organizations.
There will be about 40 visitors staying three nights, Aug. 16 to 18.
When she spoke to council in December, she had already firmed up most of the billets.
As well as concerts, she said dining and entertainment will happen around Salmon Arm.
“There will be opportunities for council and members of the community to come together with these people from Nepi to enjoy each other and share your lives.”
She asked council for $700 to help offset costs of transportation, food and entertainment.
Council was supportive of her plan and suggested that her best avenue would be to apply through the Shuswap Community Foundation, which distributes City of Salmon Arm funds on behalf of the city.
“It’s a very interesting presentation and very exciting,” responded Mayor Nancy Cooper.
If any groups or individuals are interested in contributing to Salmon Arm’s hosting of the Nepi band, call Gomme at 250-833-4761 or email: njgomme@telus.net.
