The Delta Music Makers Concert Band, started in 1983, is a
community band that meets in Delta, British Columbia, Canada, close to
Vancouver. This 50 piece group,
directed by its founder, Mr.
Curt Jantzen, performs as many as 20 concerts per year, and
on average, takes a major tour every three years. Mr. Jantzen is
ably supported by Assistant Director Margaret
Behenna and Guest Conductor Brenda Khoo.
Our friendly, enthusiastic members are
always interested in connecting with other amateur community bands
around the world.
The
members of the band place emphasis on a balance between fun and serious
musical progress. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday nights 7:30 -
9:30 pm at Delta Secondary School in Ladner.
We play a number of
concerts each year in Southwestern British Columbia, and we like to travel. Previous tours include
Disneyland 1988, Disneyworld in 1991, Reno/Lake Tahoe Nevada in 1994,
Canyonlands of Utah and Arizona in 1996, Great Britain 1999, Reno 2001, Europe 2002, Maritimes 2005 and Scotland/Ireland 2007. (See DMM Tours for tour details and photos)
Concerts performed in the GVRD area and BC have included the Delta "Concerts in the Park" series, Delta Hospital Extended Care, Delta Christmas concert, Kitsilano Showboat, Kerrisdale Days, Ladner days, Metrotown, English Bay, Chemainus Days, Whistler, Richmond Seniors, Minoru Seniors Centre, St. Augustine House, Tsawwassen Kinsmen, Peace Arch border, ...
 MAIN LINKS EXPLAINED |
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Website of 5th Annual Ladner Bandfest, held June 13 & June 14, 2009 in Ladner, BC |
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Delta Music Makers Community Band
Society - history, organization, & what they do |
| **Newsletter May 2009 |
contains information on band activities, including our current Music Folder,
rehearsal dates, concert dates, and planning for future events |
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“Lillian’s List” of every piece played by DMM since 1995
Includes the 14 titles chosen by DMM members, CD Committee, & Music Directors for CD#3, to be recorded May 2009.
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The current music being played (working folder, reserve folder, and music to hand in) |
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Details of upcoming concerts & other special DMM events
e.g. May 24 Whistler Concert Day Trip to Whistler |
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Rehearsals, Concerts & Special dates in calendar format |
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Details, photos & Reports of previous DMM Tours & Concerts |
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DMM celebrated 25 years of existence with a sold-out concert on April 20, 2008 |
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Photos & short biographies of our Director, Assistant Director and Guest Conductor |
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The players, with their instruments |
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newspaper article in South Delta Leader, July 20, 2008 |
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Photos of DMM musicians from past concerts and tours |
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Ladner
Bandfest 2009
Saturday, June 13 - Sunday, June 14
click Ladner Bandfest 2009 logo |
 Ladner Bandfest 2009 was held on Saturday & Sunday, June 13-14, 2009, at Memorial Park, Ladner,
BC. Twenty bands played in a beautiful setting, ten each day, alternating on two stages. The weather was outstanding!
On Sunday, Delta Mayor Lois Jackson welcomed the bands, and S. Delta MLA Vicki Huntington also gave a speech after lunch.
Band leader Dal Richards entertained with stories, then conducted the Vancouver Dorfmusik for its first number.
This event has, once again, proven so popular that it is a permanent
date on BC’s Band Calendar.
For a list of the
bands, and reports of the festival, check out the Ladner Bandfest 2009 website.
Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Celebration
Acting Mayor Krista
Engelland, on behalf of Mayor Lois Jackson and Council, presented a
Certificate of Achievement to Curt Jantzen and Delta Music Makers
celebrating their 25th Anniversary of making
music in Delta, around the province and around the world. The 50-piece group performs as many as 20 concerts annually, takes a major
tour every three years (most recently to Ireland and Scotland), and
organizes the Ladner Bandfest in Memorial Park every June.
Curt
Jantzen (on left), along with several members of the concert band,
presented a plaque to Mayor and Delta Council to show their gratitude
for Council’s years of support of the band and especially the Ladner
Bandfest. Acting Mayor Krista Engelland (on right) accepted the
plaque on behalf of Mayor Jackson and Council.
 Poster - Casey Blackwell
Twenty-five
years is a wonderful landmark and our founder and Music Director Curt
Jantzen can be justly proud of how the band has evolved. The band
has certainly surpassed his original concept to form a “learner group” of musicians. From its modest beginning in 1983, the Delta Music
Makers Concert Band has achieved numerous successes, while always
keeping learning and FUN as its two basic goals. It is now an
integral part of the community and is a familiar sight at many events
throughout the year.
We are
also proud to have a considerable number of “charter members” still in
our midst, musicians who have evolved into accomplished musicians and
who remain committed to the future of our band.
The
Delta Music Makers marked this significant event by hosting a 25th Anniversary Concert that featured our band at its best, with News 1130 anchor, Andy Walsh, as Master of Ceremonies.
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LOCAL BAND MAKING MUSIC IN UK |
Members of the Delta Music Makers are enjoying themselves on a
nine-city tour of Ireland and Scotland |
Headline of featured story in the Delta Optimist chronicled the 2007 tour of
the band
in Ireland and Scotland (September 19, 2007) |
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Delta Music Makers conductor Curt
Jantzen was presented with a Stirling Bear by the Provost of Stirling,
Margaret Brisley, during a reception the city hosted for the musicians
following a concert at the Wallace Monument in Scotland. |
The band toured Ireland and Scotland in
August 2007. Take a look at the itinerary.
Check out an account of this fantastic trip in Reflections 2007 by bass clarinetist,
Brian Ellis.
Hugh
Martell Photo
2007
May Long Weekend Concert in Whistler, BC
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Concert
at British Columbia Government House
with Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo
In
2002, the band celebrated Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee with a
concert in the British Columbia Government House Garden, hosted by
Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo. Later that summer, there was
a performance tour of Germany, Austria and
Switzerland.
The
year 2005 brought us through a tour of Quebec and all the Canadian
Maritime Provinces, including concerts at all the provincial capitals,
beginning in Quebec City.
Uniforms for Sale
We
presently have some 50 sets of the salmon colored Miami Vice Tuxedo by
After Six uniforms for sale. They have been well taken care of,
but they were not new when we purchased them. They served us for
some six years and have been replaced by a new color. All sets of
jackets, ties and cummerbunds are available as a complete package
- ideal for a new band or choir. Take a look at Uniform Deal.
The
band is incorporated under the Societies Act of British Columbia,
enjoys Canadian tax-deductible status and is managed by a board of
directors. Any musicians wishing to join should first telephone
our Music Director, Mr. Curt Jantzen (604-946-2309).
DMM Directors 2008
Hugh Martell Photo
back: Gus Nielsen, Michele McLaurin, Janet Friesen, Casey Blackwell,
Doug Akerman, Ken Borrie
front: Curt Jantzen, Ann Bates, Pat Hull, Brenda
Khoo, Margaret Behenna
not in photo: Curt Radke
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