Chilliwack Community Band seeks new conductor to lead its volunteer musicians
CHILLIWACK — A local non-profit society that has been sharing its love of music with the residents of Chilliwack for over 35 years is searching for a new conductor.
According to Chilliwack resident and local musician Jennie Jackson, Chilliwack Community Band conductor Kevin Biegel retired from his full-time teaching job at Sardis Secondary last year and has expressed an interest in spending more time with family. As a result, the community band is looking for a new conductor to oversee and lead a volunteer-based group of musicians that enjoy playing music and providing a valuable cultural amenity to the community.
Jackson says Chilliwack Community Band was established in 1987 as a non-profit society with a goal of providing a welcoming forum for hobby musicians to play music and share it with the community of Chilliwack. Its roster consists of approximately 25 musicians whose ages range from late teens to retirees with varied skills. While some adult members have recently returned to playing music after taking a long break, sometimes since high school, others have been playing for years and are very accomplished. Students from high school and university balance out the ensemble and bring a refreshing energy.
“The younger students really flourish; it is fun to watch them grow into young adults and to see their musical skills grow,” Jackson said. “Overall, we try to strike a fair balance between having fun playing music and being competitive, while pushing ourselves to reach new limits as a group.”
Any proceeds that Chilliwack Community Band earns from performances helps pay the conductor, rental fees associated with using venues, and purchasing new instruments as needed.
Visit Chilliwack Community Band on Facebook for more information about this great community group.