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music by Doug Rushton Musical, Marching, Magical! The North Vancouver Youth Band Brings Joy to Many an Ear! Theatre in April. Oh. and don't forget those unscheduled marching concerts near Edgemont Village. The band is meant to complement, not compete with, the school music programs. It is especially advantageous for music students who want to continue their musical experience after high school. The link to the school system goes back to March 13, 1939. That's when the band actually began, holding its first practice in the basement of Queen Mary School on Keith Road. Hundreds of students later, the band will celebrate its 60th anniversary next year. There are currently more than 100 band members, ranging in age from 10 to 20 years old. There are some pretty obvious reasons why the band attracts members: they love music, they want to perform, they want to improve their skills, they want to meet other people who share their interests, and they want to go on one of those foreign trips. Parents know this too. But the dynamic goes beyond the music. I think the key lies in the idea of accomplishment. The kids don't have to join. Look at the competing interests: TV, sports, surfing the Net, friends, homework . . . the list is endless. Yet twice a week, they forego all that to practise for up to two hours, play at concerts, and. for the Senior Band, wear uniforms that are far removed from regular teenagers' garb. Why? To have fun and come out a better musician and, I think, a better person. And what does the community get out of this? An alternative activity for young people. A diverse cultural base that actively encourages participation by youth. A tradition, something that gets its roots into the community and has proven survivability. Sheer homegrown entertainment. An activity that gets parents involved in a community venture. Generations of young musicians who know what it's like to grow musically, have fun, and contribute to their community. These are valuable assets. Look at the other artistic and cultural pursuits, activities, and personalities written about in this publication. What sticks out? Well, lots of things actually, but what impresses me is the diversity of our community. There's lots of events and activities going on I never knew I t ' s a bright spring or summer evening, time to relax and enjoy the end of the day. Suddenly you hear something unusual. Yes. it's a band, a concert band, and a pretty good one at that. And unless your ears are playing tricks on you. the band sounds as if it's moving. The folks who live near Highlands Community School near Edgemont Village will tell you that your ears are right, and that another North Vancouver Youth Band practice is under way. This is a concert band that marches, so when it's nice outside, the neighbourhood gets a free concert as the band walks by its front doors. The band practises two nights a week, almost year round. When the weather's foul, the sounds are confined to the school's music room. Beyond hearing it in the distance. I didn't know much about the band until my daughter Lauren started taking lessons from a band member a couple of years ago. Lauren had been an enthusiastic member of both her elementary and secondary school bands. She said she wanted to join the Youth Band because although she enjoyed the school groups, she wanted more. The North Vancouver Youth Band actually comprises two ensembles: Junior/Intermediate (with a Beginners' section) and Senior. There's not much point in practising if you don't get to play, and the band does that by giving concerts throughout the year. It is also the official band of North Vancouver City and District. The band has annual musical retreats, plays at community festivals and events (including the recent North Shore Arts Commission Symposium), visits other BC communities, and. every two or three years, has a major foreign tour, most recently to Germany in 1996 (Zurich is planned for 1999). This, in addition to public concerts. A l l three bands will perform at the Centennial = ¡2 < 8 The North Vancouver Youth Band on the Parliament Building during Victoria steps 1997's Days.