Twenty Fifth Anniversary Concert
Poster - Casey Blackwell
Report by Brian Ellis, Bass Clarinet
Performing to a sell-out audience
of 400, Delta Music Makers celebrated its 25th anniversary with
a gala performance at the Genesis Theatre, Ladner, on Sunday,
April 20, 2008
Curt
Jantzen, founder and music director, welcomed the enthusiastic
crowd and introduced News 1130 anchor, Andy Walsh, as Master of
Ceremonies, who did a superb job of introducing, and providing
background information to, each of the selections.
 A
congratulatory message from Delta Mayor Lois Jackson was delivered
in person by Councillor Vicki Huntington. Curt then read
a message from Her Excellency the Right Honorable Michaelle Jean,
Governor General of Canada, praising the dedication of volunteers,
like our band members, who lend life and soul to the community.
She went on to say that the arts are in good hands in Canada with
committed artists, like the musicians in our band.
The repertoire included Selections from
Mary Poppins; Recorded by Sinatra, and What
a Wonderful World, with delightful vocals by Alan Dodds (trumpet
and vocals).
The audience was initially perplexed when the
band started playing New York, New York like a bunch
of rank beginners. Curt hastened to reassure the audience
(tongue-in-cheek) that the band had suffered a momentary lapse
of memory and had reverted to the first time they played the piece
over 20 years ago. Needless to say, given a second chance,
they went on to present a stellar performance.
 Curt
was afforded a “breather” when assistant conductor Margaret Behenna
took to the podium for three selections, Silver Shadow,
Japanese and Children’s March. Margaret
handed the baton back to Curt, enabling her to perform the vocals
on Song for the Mira, especially arranged for the Delta
Music Makers by Dr. Joe Brashier. Lucy Williams, oboe, ably
supported Margaret throughout the piece. In the second half,
Brenda Khoo, our other assistant conductor, took the band through
John Phillip Sousa’s dynamic adaptation of Country Gardens.
The entire clarinet section was featured in
Leroy Anderson’s Clarinet Candy, generating thunderous
applause for their exciting rendition. There was hardly
a dry eye in the audience following Carl Strommen’s arrangement
of Annie Laurie.
The program was rounded out by a variety of
numbers including, Tritsch Tratsch Polka, opening up
the second half; Parade of the Tall Ships and closing
with Highlights from Oliver. What would a live
concert be without an encore? Since we did not want to disappoint
the crowd, we sent them home clapping to the beat of Johann Strauss’
Radetzky March.
 To
say, “A great time was had by all”, would be an understatement.
A great time was had by everybody because it was well organized,
well rehearsed, well presented and well received.
The band will be eternally grateful to Gus
Nielsen, who chaired the organizing committee, ably assisted by
Janet Friesen, co-chair; Margaret Behenna; Willard Coates; Nancy
Duncan; Janie & David Jackson; Carol & Ian Murdoch; Wilf
Radke, and Evangelyne Thompson.
Photos by Doug
and Marlene Akerman
Spring
Thaw by Merle Stewart
The
DMM Band Society wishes to thank Merle Stewart for her generous
donation of this original watercolour
to the Delta Music Makers as a fund raiser for their 25th Anniversary
Concert.
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