Ladner Bandfest 2008

The sounds of music pervaded the air around Memorial Park, Ladner, from morning until night during the 4^th Annual Ladner Bandfest, on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

Despite threatening rain and unseasonably cold temperatures, eleven bands from around the Lower Mainland played their hearts out to a continually changing, but appreciative audience.  Envision Finance kindly set up two tents to shelter the audience from the elements and TOOBS, the charity fund-raising organization, set up their outdoor barbeque to provide hot nourishments.  An auxiliary coffee stand was organized by the ladies of Delta Music Makers.

Opening the show on a brand-new mobile stage, provided by Delta Parks, Recreation & Culture, Delta Concert Band, under the direction of Jim Tempest, displayed their musical talents and warmed up the audience with their enthusiastic performance.  In the meantime, the West Vancouver Adult Community Band, with conductor Tak Maeda, was setting up in the gazebo on the other side of the park in preparation for their delightful performance.

Delta Concert Band - Hugh Martell Photo

To enable each band to perform a 40-minute time allotment, this arrangement works really well.  The audience sits between the two stages and simply turns their chairs around to view the next band, introduced alternatively by MC’s Curt Jantzen and Brian Ellis.  Obviously this requires additional equipment and we are indebted to Jeanie McKay, Delta Secondary School; Jill Sparrow-Ng, Seaquam Secondary School, and Long & McQuade, for the loan of music stands and large percussion instruments.

West Vancouver Community Band - Hugh Martell photo

The Richmond Legion Band provided its unique blend of sounds under the baton of Bob Mullett, followed by Victor Guy, leading his North Vancouver Community Band through a selection of cheerful and lively pieces.

In stark contrast, Vancouver Dorfmusik opened it’s repertoire with a trio comprising fluegel horn, tuba and a real live alp horn, and with Herr Gordon Koch on the podium, brought a European flavor to the Bandfest with it’s repertoire of “umpa-pa” music.

Among many of its unique attributes, host band Delta Music Makers, featured two vocalists and three conductors.  Music Director Curt Jantzen kicked off with Ted Ricketts’ arrangement of “Selections from Mary Poppins”, followed by LeRoy Anderson’s “Clarinet Candy”, showcasing the entire clarinet section.  He handed over the baton to Brenda Khoo (percussion), who then took us through a lively rendition of “Country Gardens”, set by Percy Grainger.  Margaret Behenna (clarinet) took to the podium next and led the Music Makers through a recently discovered George Gershwin gem called simply, “Japanese”, followed by another delightful Grainger piece, “Children’s March”.  Curt returned and led the band through highlights from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar”, with Margaret doing the vocals in “I Don’t Know How To Love Him”.  Next came a paso doble by Johan Nijs called, “Don Pedro”,  and the program was brought to a conclusion with Alan Dodds (trumpet) performing a delightful vocal rendition of Bob Lowden’s arrangement of “What A Wonderful World”.  Satchmo would have been really proud!

Bandfest founder, Curt Jantzen, then took the opportunity to introduce and recognize the assembled band directors and present them with participation certificates, and gift vouchers from various sponsors.  Souvenir photographs of the individual bands, taken by photographer Hugh Martell (percussion), are later sent to each band director when completed.

Following the presentations we were treated to the sonorous sounds of the Little Mountain Brass Band, ably directed by Jim Littleford.  By now the sky was starting to brighten, but not before Earl Hobson, conducting the Royal City Concert Band, claimed that it was their brilliant performance that was responsible for the sun to make its tentative appearance.  Nobody argued with him, as we were excited to see this rare natural phenomenon.   Dave Fullerton brought a youthful group to the stage when the South Fraser Community Band made their appearance.  Turning to the gazebo, we were next entertained by the Metropolitan Concert Band, who regaled the audience under the direction of Dan Hearty.  The Abbotsford Concert Band, who had the farthest distance to travel, brought the day’s event to a successful and music-filled close, skillfully directed by Shannon Goldsmith.

Posters and programs were kindly provided by Archetype Print Ltd. This was the first year several media outlets picked up the show, with Delta Cable making sure we had lots of publicity through their local television network;  Marketwire gave us broad media coverage throughout the Lower Mainland, courtesy of Pat Hull (flute); and Outdoor Broadcast Network created a colorful display on their Jumbotron by the Town & Country Inn, Delta.  Long & McQuade and Matterhorn Music gave gift certificates to each of the participating bands, and miscellaneous signage was provided by Knight Safety Ltd., via Curt Radke, and Bri-Tek Fire Protection Services Inc., who also installed portable fire extinguishers at strategic locations.

We cannot say enough for the ongoing support we receive from Mayor Lois Jackson and the Municipality of Delta who, through Delta Parks, Recreation & Culture provide us with the Kinsman House facilities, showstage, gazebo and display advertising on their reader-boards.

Curt thanked the Bandfest committee members; volunteers; musicians, advertisers, sponsors and audience for making this 4^th annual Bandfest an all-around success.