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30 YEARS of SILVER and GOLD
The Lethbridge Community Band Society ’ s annual Mayor ’ s Concert is just one opportunity to see the Silver and Gold Bands perform .
AMANDA BERG PHOTOGRAPHY : COURTESY OF DONNA KROEGER AND THE LETHBRIDGE COMMUNITY BAND SOCIETY .
The Lethbridge Community Band Society has been entertaining audiences for 30 years with its Silver and Gold Bands , and there are plenty of opportunities for you to see them perform in 2017 .
THIS YEAR IS A BIG YEAR for national and local anniversaries . Sharing in those celebrations is the Lethbridge Community Band Society , one of our city ’ s most beloved performing groups . This year marks the Society ’ s 30th anniversary , and with it , opportunities for audiences to enjoy the talents of both the Silver and Gold Bands .
René van de Vendel , President and long-time member , reflects on the rich history and vibrant composition of volunteers , musicians , and conductors who have contributed to the successes of the Lethbridge Community Band Society . “ Robert Cook was the driving force behind forming the Society . It was his efforts , combined with others like Barbara Walker and Bob Lewis that got the band started ,” says René . Seeing a void in the city for concert band performances , Cook and his colleagues formed the Lethbridge Gold Band in 1987 , and the following year , the Silver Band premiered .
In the early years the bands were called the Tuesday Night ( Silver ) and Wednesday Night ( Gold ) Bands with the names changing to the Silver and Gold Bands in the late 1990s .
For 10 years , Cook was conductor of the Gold Band , which comprised musicians that had the skill to play more technically challenging works . “ Those first 10 years were the formative years for the band ,” says René . “[ It ] competed nationally , toured into Montana , and performed for some important events , such as the opening ceremonies for the Alberta Winter Games .”
The next 10 years , under the direction of Don Robb , were what René refers to as the “ opportunity years ”, when the band developed an invaluable identity as a relevant and talented group . “ We collaborated with guest soloists , and performed works written for the Gold Band specifically ,” René remembers . Music composed by Elizabeth Rohm , David Squires , and the legendary Howard Cable were commissioned and performed by the Gold Band , introducing audiences to music that was distinctly regional .
The Gold Band nurtured those relationships with composers and musicians alike as it matured under the direction of Doug Scales and Ken Rogers , and
16 LETHBRIDGELIVING . COM MAR-APR 2017