The Bandfest is the largest gathering of adult musicians in Western Canada, with 600-700 musicians performing in 20 adult community bands over the two days, Saturday and Sunday, June 13 and 14.  The event was free and open to the public.

Band Leader Dal Richards	MLA Vicki Huntington	Mayor Lois Jackson

Band Leader Dal Richards, recently elected Delta South Independent MLA Vicki Huntington, and Delta Mayor Lois Jackson were at the Ladner Bandfest on Sunday, June 14, 2009.

Dal Richards is one of Canada’s most highly recognized band-leaders.  For more than seven decades, Dal Richards & his Orchestra have delighted Canadians with memorable dance music.  He lives in Vancouver, and is best known for his many-year association with the Hotel Vancouver.  The Dal Richards Orchestra performs regularly in Vancouver and throughout BC, and Mr. Richards also guest-conducts bands all over the world.  “With much having changed in the entertainment business in the last half-century, audiences continue to enjoy the swinging sounds of big band music, and, as long as the audiences keep coming, I will continue to lead the band.”  Mr. Richards also broadcasts a weekly radio show “Dal’s Place” on Radio 600AM.

Dal is in his 90’s, yet remains as active as ever, as evidenced by his interest in attending the Ladner Bandfest.  Bandfest Chair Curt Jantzen commented, “Having Dal Richards interested in attending the event certainly raises its profile, and all the musicians respect Mr. Richards and what he represents to the music world in British Columbia.”

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LADNER BANDFEST 2009

“The best so far,” seemed to be the general consensus of the 2009 Ladner Bandfest, which took place in agreeably sunny conditions throughout the June 13-14 weekend.

Twenty bands played non-stop music throughout the two days to record crowds, alternating between the mobile stage and the permanent gazebo, located in Ladner’s family-oriented Memorial Park.

Vancouver Concert Band, under the direction of Frank Ludwig, was rewarded with a bread basket gift from one of the sponsors for being the first band to start the proceedings.  North Vancouver Community Band followed with a lively performance under the direction of its exuberant conductor, Victor Guy.  Travelling in from the Valley was the seasoned Abbotsford Concert Band, led by Shannon Goldsmith.

David Fullerton showed up with the South Fraser Community Band, followed by the Port Moody Community Band, directed by Gord Hembroff, and Ed Dumas’ Maple Ridge Concert Band, and Brenda Wilson brought the first day’s activities to a successful close with the Langley Concert Band.

The weekend was marked by a number of “firsts”.  This was the first time an orchestra has been featured in the event, with Peter Stigings conducting A Little Night Music Orchestra through a number of light orchestral pieces.  The first time a stage band, Third Stage, led by a busy David Fullerton, has demonstrated its unique style.  The first time the Nanaimo Concert Band, under the direction of John Forbes, has traveled from its home base on Vancouver Island to play in the Bandfest.

Volunteer crews were busy Sunday morning setting up equipment to receive the first band of the day, the Metropolitan Concert Band, led by Dan Hearty.

Shortly afterwards, Bandfest founder Curt Jantzen welcomed Delta Mayor Lois Jackson to address the early morning crowd.  She spoke highly of the event and its organizers, and was delighted that it brought so many people out to the community.

Curt, assisted by Margaret Behenna, then led host band Delta Music Makers through their musical selections.

West Vancouver Adult Community Band, under the direction of Tak Maeda, and looking really sharp in their white pants and navy blue jackets, gave a commendable performance, as did John White’s New Westminster & District Concert Band.

Transforming the Ladner Bandfest into a truly international event was the first-time appearance of the Orcas Island Community Band, who traveled from Washington State to regale the audience with its unique brand of concert music.

Jim Littleford once again pleased the audience with his all-brass ensemble, Little Mountain Brass Band, the conclusion of which heralded the appearance of Vicki Huntington, the newly elected independent MLA for Delta South, who spoke highly of the weekend music festival.

One of the biggest highlights of the weekend was the personal appearance on Sunday, of legendary bandleader Dal Richards, accompanied by his lovely wife, Muriel. To the great delight of the crowd, conductor Gordon Koch invited Dal to conduct a set with his “oompapa” band, the Vancouver Dorfmusik.  Later on in the program Dal was invited by conductor Earl Hobson to strut his stuff with the Royal City Concert Band. Dal spoke highly of the caliber of musicianship and the quality of the organization behind the event.  He and his wife stayed until the end of the festival, and were highly impressed with what they had experienced.

Ken Osterreicher’s Lynn Valley Black Bear Band brought the festival to an exciting and music-filled close, and was awarded a bread basket gift for being the last band to play.

With bands alternating between two stages, it is possible to maintain a steady stream of music throughout the day, and the organizing committee achieved this by having an MC for each stage.  Hot and cold refreshments were available to audience and band members throughout both days, organized and provided by TOOBS, a local service club, and Delta Music Makers members.

It has become evident since its inception that one of the Bandfest’s stalwart supporters is newspaper columnist and band enthusiast Edgar Dunning.  Each year he has shown up early in the morning and stayed until the very end.  This year he let it be known that he is celebrating his 99 ½ years birthday on July 7.

The Bandfest organizers are most appreciative of the generous contributions made by their various sponsors and hard-working volunteers.  We’d especially like to thank the Delta Optimist for helping with publicity for the event;  the 5th annual Ladner Bandfest was attended by record crowds of listeners.

Report by Brian A. Ellis, Bass Clarinet
Delta Music Makers