Membership:

History page 2

... continued from History page 1

The first season saw the formation of the concert band. Directed by Dennis Orr, J. F. Cotnoir and Lee Post, this band had just over 30 members. Eager for some competition, they competed in the Calgary Kiwanis Festival in the spring of 1995. The very next year saw the formation of the choir and the jazz band. Initially you could not play in the jazz band (now called the big band) unless you played in the concert band. The thought was that the concert band was the anchor of the Valley Winds and the directors did not want everyone leaving the concert band to play jazz. Initially, the association was for adults only. It provided a chance for mom and dad to get “out of the house” and pursue a passion in music. Today we encourage high school students to get involved in any of the three groups.

Now in its 17^th season there are over 100 participants in all three groups.  Winter and spring concerts, with all the groups on the program, have become annual events. Often the choir will perform at the hospital, senior's lodge or Cascade Plaza in Banff. The big band has had the opportunity to play at fund raising events and as a dance band for local functions. The first year of the Canmore International Jazz Festival saw the Valley Winds Big Band play with renowned Canadian saxophonist P.J. Perry on stage in Canmore. A gig at the Banff Centre’s jazz club was a highlight of the 2009 season. The spring Blow Out in May sees several concert and big band style jazz bands from the Canmore and Calgary area perform in the afternoon sun on Canmore's Stan Rodger’s Stage.

From the small nucleus back in 1994 we still have Anita Battrum, Donna Egglestone, Norine Hori, Irene Kis, Donna McKown, Carol Pearson, Bob Aishford, Kim Johnson and Russ Peardon.

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