Legion Concert Band and Dance Band History
The Birth of a Band – The inaugural rehearsal of the Stittsville Concert Band
occurred on September 4, 2008 as the brainchild of Christine Philipson.. The founding group of musicians attended the first rehearsal of the brand new community band under the baton of Matt Dawber. The new group of eighteen members met at Sacred Heart High School to make joyful sounds while planning future performances in the community, and for publicity to open up opportunities for musicians of all ages to join the band.
Stittsville Concert Band aka Stittsville Legion Band - February 2011 - with Ron Currie (President 2010/11)
Soon after its formation, the Stittsville Concert Band entered a sponsorship/partnership arrangement with Stittsville Branch 618 of the Royal Canadian Legion. At the annual awards night on October 15, 2009, Bandmaster and founder Christine Philipson was honoured to share the limelight with Legionnaire of the Year, Barb Vant’Slot, and to be presented with a certificate of appreciation from the Legion for the support given by the Band to the activities of the Legion.
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Stittsville Concert Band - January 2010 - With Dave Cashman (President 2009-2010)
The requests for other types of music presentation grew such that other groups needed to be created for smaller venues & varied functions. In 2010, a vision for a dance group produced the Main & Abbott Dance Band, with surprising success, playing for the first time at Stittsville’s Canada Day celebrations. They later met the challenge of an early morning television broadcast on Ottawa’s A Channel in October to popular acclaim. A lounge act was also formed, to deliver quiet background music for more formal events, such as mess dinners, known simply as the ten piece band since no name has yet been selected.
10 Piece Band - October 2010 - Playing for Shad Qadri's Election Party
All three bands continue to perform as the demand increases, putting a consistent load on many of the core players who build & improve their skills. In 2010 they performed a surprising 2o engagements, a very large number considering that the entire organization is made up of unpaid volunteer musicians.
Main & Abbott Dance Band - February 2011