On Saturday (March 1) the Georgian Shores Concert Band will perform Gershwin and the Greats, featuring music from evocative composers across classical and jazz genres.
A rendition of Gershwin’s masterpiece, Rhapsody in Blue, with pianist Kyung-A Lee taking on the solos is particularly exciting for the band.
It’s been a long road since the committee decided to transform their brass band into a concert band in 2020. With more than just hiccups along the way, as social distancing made it difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic, the committed musicians have found a way to excel.
“This is such a rich area for musicians that are just hiding in the woodwork, we somehow found them and we just want to share it,” says Sadie Bridgeman, the band's chair.
She also notes the current waiting list for membership. People are requesting to join from surrounding areas like Meaford, Barrie, and Collingwood.
“I think that speaks to Matt’s leadership and the calibre of music that we play. And it’s awesome that it’s in our town of Midland, I’m so proud of that,” she says of the band’s conductor, Matt Rodnick, and their prosperity.
With some of the 55 members making a weekly commute for rehearsal, the extra challenge this year came in the form of snow.
“There has been a lot of postponing and rescheduling rehearsals,” explains Bridgeman. Yet they have added extra practice days to make sure they’re up to par.
Once a program and material is decided upon they get to work practising individually before rehearsing together. Rodnick carefully selects music suitable for various levels of musicians — some are high school students and some have more experience performing — while he also keeps it interesting for them and the audience.
“Matt is always pushing us, his aim is to improve and gain skill and experience; so we have a musically challenging piece every single time,” Bridgeman says, suggesting the conductor’s task isn’t simple.
She also explains that practice time includes set-ups and tear downs at the Georgian Bay District Secondary School (GBDSS). Every Tuesday they move cafeteria tables, chairs and stands prior to and after rehearsals. It takes time, she says.
“I call our band members a band family, they literally are, everybody helps,” says Bridgeman.
Rodnick makes the most of rehearsals as well, recording sections that require more attention and emailing everyone instructions. Bridgeman refers to the intricacies of personal practice that overlap band rehearsal time and commends her “band family” for their dedication.
“The group of people in our band are so committed and they love what they do. We get really excited about it,” she says.
She mentions, too, that their greatest success is the feedback from the audience.
“After every concert somebody will say ‘that was my favourite one yet,’ so that’s the reward right there, seeing the crowd enjoy it and that there’s something for everyone,” says Bridgeman.
The experience of attending one of their concerts goes beyond the music. Their November performance of Epic Journeys included a screen and projector with images and incorporated some narration.
Over the past three years the concert band, with french horns, saxophones and percussion added, has upgraded the venue. In 2021 tickets sold out all season. They now host a bigger audience so they alternate between the King’s Wharf Theatre and GBDSS venues.
A link to Eventbrite ticket sales for this weekend’s performance at King’s Wharf Theatre can be found on their website.
