Stittsville Concert band wants music makers

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By John Curry

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Frank Martens, far left, director of the Stittsville Concert Band, leads a rehearsal session for the band in its rehearsal space on the top floor of the Stittsville Legion Hall on Stittsville Main Street in Stittsville.

John Brummell, Metroland

Frank Martens, far left, director of the Stittsville Concert Band, leads a rehearsal session for the band in its rehearsal space on the top floor of the Stittsville Legion Hall on Stittsville Main Street in Stittsville.

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Katherine Allan plays the flute as she takes part in a rehearsal session with the Stittsville Concert Band.

John Brummell, Metroland

Katherine Allan plays the flute as she takes part in a rehearsal session with the Stittsville Concert Band.

EMC News - Calling all music makers. The Stittsville Concert Band a.k.a. Stittsville Legion Concert Band wants you.

The community band, which was formed in 2008, has an ongoing recruiting drive as it tries to involve as many musicians as possible in its activities.

The band is open to musicians of all ages from junior high school (grade seven) and up. The youngest band member currently is 12 years old and the age range goes up from there. The only requirement is that the musician must own or have access to an instrument.

The band includes full brass and reed sections, playing at community events, outdoor functions and seniors homes. It also performs on occasion at festivals, pageants and other events.

There are no fees charged to play with the band. Students starting as early as grade seven are encouraged to join. Experienced players are available for mentoring.

For high school students, community service hours are available for those covering rehearsals, performances and other support functions that enhance the profile of the band.

The band now rehearses in the former Stittsville Loyal Orange Lodge area on the top floor at the Stittsville Legion Hall. This rehearsal space has been provided for use by the band thanks to the Stittsville Branch 618 of the Royal Canadian Legion which is the band's sponsor.

The Stittsville Legion Concert Band now has a library of more than 1,000 songs, so there is lots of variety to the music that the band performs.

For more information about the Stittsville Concert Band/Stittsville Legion Concert Band, please contact Christine Philipson at 613-831-1575 or at c.philipson@sympatico.ca or check the website at www.stittsvilleconcertband.com.