F
rom swing to Broadway musicals the popular fall concert of the Oceanside Concert Band with guests the Just Us Dance Orchestra is a music event not to be missed this weekend.
A group of 35 musicians make up the Oceanside Concert Band and they will combine their talents for their annual fall concert Sunday, Nov.13 at Knox United Church.
The group initially formed back in the ‘60s and has been attracting more and more members over it’s 50 years. Music director, retired Lt. Col. Gerry Klaassen, said the diverse group of people includes retired teachers, house wives and music professionals.
“It’s a cross section of people having fun with music as a hobby,” he said, and added, “A lot of them picked up their instruments after they retired.”
The group performs all kinds of music to please a wide variety of musical tastes, including Billy Joel songs, Marching Up Broadway, Wolvernie Blues and a rousing Latin version of Tamboo.
Popular trumpeter and vocalist Bill Cave is a member of the band and there is a trumpet feature called Trumpets Wild.
Klaassen said the fall concert, which lasts about two hours, is popular and Knox United Church is a great venue to enjoy their music.
The community-minded band also has an outreach program where they play at senior homes in the area.
The concert will also include a performance by the Just Us Dance Orchestra, playing music from the Big Band era.
Klaassen who plays bass in “Just Us” said they will perform four swing numbers in-between the Concert Band performance.
Klaassen who also conducted the Nanaimo Concert Band for 12 years said after a bit of a break from that band he will be back leading them in a couple of weeks.
The Sunday afternoon concert is sponsored by the Parksville and District Music Association, with proceeds going to support musical programs in the Oceanside area.
Get tickets at the door on Sunday Nov. 13 at Knox United Church located at 345 Pym Street. The concert begins at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for students and children under 12 are free. For more information visit www.oceansideconcertband.com.
