UPCOMING EVENTS:
Nothing But Hits ~ WCB Concert ~ May 27, 2023
The Wallaceburg Concert Band is happy to announce their next upcoming concert, titled “Nothing But Hits.”
Conductor Dave Babbitt recently shared some details on the WCB Facebook page:
Since we returned after our Christmas Break, we’ve had our sights set on our Spring Concert. It has been a long, hard winter of rehearsals but things are really starting to whip into shape. Our long-time supporters will know that I don’t like tossing around superlatives just to get people to our concerts. Honesty is important to me as I want to earn your trust. You will also know that we attempt to outdo ourselves on each successive outing by raising the bar of our playing through both hard work, and the choice of increasingly better, more challenging arrangements. Having said all of that, I truly believe that THIS music will be our finest to-date, and you’ll want to reserve the date of Saturday, May 27th right now. Long-time supporters will also know that it is a personal policy not to reveal what we will be playing in order to maintain an element of surprise at each concert. I’m actually so excited about this concert that I’m going to breach my own rule and “spill the beans” on at least SOME of our upcoming offerings. For example…Can you name the top 3 grossing Broadway musicals of all-time? How about the “world’s favourite musical ” Les Misérables”? Then there was “The Phantom of the Opera” and it’s glorious music, and then the biggest box-office generator of all-time. ”The Lion King”! We are determined to turn younger people on to our music so if The Lion King and it’s catchy African rhythm’s doesn’t attract your kids and grandkids, how about music from ”Aladdin”, the late Robin Williams/Disney Masterpiece. We’re also going to present music from maybe the musical with the catchiest melodies of all-time, ”Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. Our band anticipates rehearsing this score every week. We’re also going to do a mini-tribute to the late Andy Botai of WDSS fame by playing 3 classic arrangements that several of us played for him back in high school. One score will features the music of the recently passed Burt Bacharach, one will feature incredible music from Italian movies (you may not know them all by name, but you have heard them!) and one will feature the trumpet skills of Meighan Lung in a medley of old songs that I used to play. (Guaranteed that you will smile!) THEN…we’re going to feature a unique instrument that has been extremely rare in these parts for decades….the bassoon. We have been so fortunate to have bassoon player Fr. Chris Gillespie of the local Roman Catholic parish in our band for several years now, and I decided that it’s time to feature him and this unique instrument. Once again, you’ll smile and while I won’t reveal what the song is, old-timers will recognize it instantly. Topping it all off is a medley of hits by the supergroup consisting of Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid! Figured that one out yet? There are a couple other unique things that we’ll be presenting BUT there is only ONE opportunity to hear all of this music as we play all-new scores each outing…..then move on. If we attract the same crowd we had at the Chatham Capitol Theatre back in December, you will be competing for a seat and many will surely miss-out, but you can reserve the date right now!
PAST EVENTS:
As we begin to wind down from the hustle and bustle of rehearsals and concerts for our holiday break, the WCB would like to send out a very large thank you to all who supported us by attending our concerts, donating to the Salvation Army and our local food drives. We would also like to share our congratulations to the winner of our annual hockey ticket raffle, drawn by Dave Babbitt at our December 3rd concert. Congratulations goes to Marcia Simpson, the lucky winner of the hockey tickets and cash, with a total prize value of $1200.00.
Did you catch Jay’s interview on CKXS with WCB Conductor Dave Babbitt, and Stage Director Dan White? Listen to the interview here, to hear exciting updates and information about the two upcoming Wallaceburg Concert Band performances!
We are so very excited to share with you that the Wallaceburg Concert Band will be presenting two Christmas concerts this December. We are hoping you will come out and enjoy the sounds of the season presented by the WCB at either of our two shows, or maybe even both! We are also thrilled to announce that the Brass Factory Big Band will also be featured at our Chatham concert. Mark you calendars and come on out!
The WCB is happy to present their first concert after a more than 2 year absence. We are so very excited, and hope to see you all there. Read more in the Chatham Daily News.
We are extremely thrilled to share with you that exciting things are on the horizon. If you are just as excited, and don’t want to miss out on any upcoming W.C.B. concert events, make sure to subscribe to the upcoming events mailing list on the W.D.C.A. website.
WCB INFORMATION NIGHT
We’re back!
With our regular members shaking off the rust after a two year hiatus, we are enjoying getting back to rehearsals, and working toward upcoming concerts.
We are also very excited about restarting our Learn-to-Play program, as well as starting a brand new Return-to-Play program this fall. Planning is already underway, as there is lots to prepare for these programs.
If you are interested in joining the Wallaceburg Concert Band this fall, and would like to learn more about our different programs, please join us for an information session Wednesday April 27, 2022.
Read Dave’s recent column in the Courier Press for more information.
With rehearsals currently on a hiatus due to the pandemic, we apologize that all concerts and events for the WCB are currently on hold.
Stay tuned for an updated list of upcoming concerts and events!
Please enjoy this special little video in the meantime (click the link below):
A Million Dreams – WCB
MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE FUNDRAISER
February 14, 2020 ~ What a wonderful turn out! The murder mystery dinner theatre was a great success, and it sure looked like everyone had tons of fun.
CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE
Thank you to all who came out to support and enjoy our WCB Intermediate Band Premiere Concert, December 17, 2019.
A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TIME ~ 2
December 3, 2019 ~ Another fabulous turn-out for our first ever concert in Dresden! Thank you for being so warm and welcoming. We truly enjoyed playing for you all!
A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TIME
November 30, 2019 ~ What a night! A wonderful evening, with a pretty cool “mystery selection,” that everyone seemed to love. Thank you all, who came out to support us once again. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Merry Christmas to you all!
MUSIC IN BRANDER PARK
September 29, 2019 ~ Thank you to everyone who endured the rainy weather, to come and hear us play. We appreciated the great turn-out! Thanks so much for your support.
SPIES, SWASHBUCKLERS AND SUPERHEROES
Thank you to everyone who came out to join us Saturday May the fourth, 2019, for our spring concert – “Spies, Swashbucklers and Superheroes.”
FAMILY DAY BRUNCH!
Thank you to all who came out in support of the Wallaceburg Concert Band this past Family Day ~ Monday February 18, 2019, at The Clubhouse at Baldoon. The proceeds will help to further purchase much needed instruments.
2018 Christmas Concert
A CHRISTMAS SLEIGH RIDE
Our recent Christmas concert that took place Saturday December 1, 2018 resulted in a full house. Thank you to all who attended, and helped to make it such a huge success. We (the WCB) were all blessed beyond measure with the phenomenal turn-out and the positive feedback that was received.
New Members Night
It’s that time of year again…, The Wallaceburg Concert Band is accepting new members for the 2018-2019 concert season. Please come out and join us Monday June 11, 2018 at the WDSS music room, meet the band, see what we are all about, and consider joining us for our upcoming season!
Summer Concert
Our first ever outdoor concert, Sunday June 10, 2018 was a great success. Although extremely windy, we had a wonderful turnout. Thanks for joining us!
2018: A MUSICAL ODYSSEY
Our 2018 spring concert, held on Saturday April 28, 2018, was a huge success. Thank you to all who came out to support our Wallaceburg Concert Band.
Read the pre-concert feature article in the Sydenham Current.
Boston Pizza Fundraiser
Thank you to all who came out, enjoyed some fabulous food, and supported our fundraiser, Monday March 19, 2018.
Clubhouse at Baldoon Family Day Brunch Fundraiser
Thank you to those who were able to join and support the Wallaceburg Concert Band at this fabulous Family Day Brunch.
A special thank you to 99.1 FM CKXS, for promoting our fundraiser on your Facebook page with a contest to win 2 tickets for the brunch that took place Monday February 19, 2018.
Tickets were also sold at the door of the Clubhouse at Baldoon during the event.
CHRISTMAS COMES TO TOWN
The Wallaceburg Concert Band presented its’ first official public Christmas concert “Christmas Comes To Town,” on Saturday December 9, 2017. It was a full house, and we are all so very appreciative of the kind words shared by the community.
Check out the pre-concert Courier Press feature article.
Have a listen to the live interview with Dave and Mark on 99.1 FM CKXS prior to the concert.
NEW MEMBER’S NIGHT!
As advertised in the Wallaceburg Courier Press, the Wallaceburg Concert Band held its’ “New Members Night” on Monday September 18’th, 2017, at 7:00 pm in the WDSS Music Room.
Musical Director, Mr. Dave Babbitt was there to give an overview of the program which is entirely free. There were many in attendance, and we are extremely excited about the new musicians joining us. This looks like an exciting season for the Wallaceburg Concert Band!
THE MUSIC AWAKENS!
The Wallaceburg Concert Band held its’ first public concert titled “THE MUSIC AWAKENS!” on Tuesday May 30’th, 2017, in the W.D.S.S. Auditorium. Read all about it in the following Sydenham Current, and Wallaceburg Courier Press attached links:
- WCB Holding Free Concert At WDSS
- Thrilling Debut for WCB
- Free Concert With The WCB
- Community Concert Band to Perform Free Concert
OUR FIRST “UNOFFICIAL” PERFORMANCE
Although only together for a very short time, the Wallaceburg Concert Band treated the Oak’s Retirement Village to a small Christmas Concert, on Tuesday December 6, 2016. It was a packed house, and a thrill for all of us to perform for this amazing audience.
HELPING HANDS
Thanks to Union Gas – Helping Hands, and to the many band members who dedicated their time and energy to cleaning instruments, and cleaning and organizing the music room, in preparation of our growing new community concert band! Read more about it in the Chatham Daily News.
Wallaceburg Concert Band 