IN CONCERT! LIVE! Saturday 14 May 2022 7:30 pm

It’s been a long 26 months since we had to cancel our last concert. But we’re back! And we have some great music for you.

The programme has a little something for everyone from several genres of music. It includes a rousing new march by Richmond Hill’s own Hugh Wallis titled Allensbank – a reference to his maternal grandmother’s birthplace in Wales with a twist. Order of Canada recipient singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot’s Railroad Trilogy has been craftily orchestrated for brass band by Orillia’s Robert Redhead. For those who love a bit of history, Canadian-born Robert Farnon wrote the BBC TV series Colditz theme. Newfoundland’s Gary Johnstone composed Music for a Holy Place – a solemn and reflective piece for the centenary of the battle of Beaumont Hamel, July 1, 1916, involving the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. A more recent addition to the brass band repertoire is the inspirational Call of the Victor by Toronto’s Marcus Venables. And for those who like folk songs, They Came Sailing by Andre Jutras will get your toes tapping. And more!

Quite a fabric in brass! Come join us.

TICKETS HERE!

Join UCB and their Guests for Summer Chops Virtual! Saturday 22 Aug, 2020

Haven’t played much since March 15th? Getting a bit rusty?

Come join Upper Canada Brass and our special guests Owen Farr (Tenor horn soloist and Besson Artist), Dan Thomas (Solo Euphonium with Black Dyke Band), and Jonny Bates (Guest Composer) in our VIRTUAL Summer Chops session.

Owen Farr

Dan Thomas

Jonny Bates

With instrument at the ready, enjoy our masterclasses, a sectional, a mini-performance, as well as having a chance to get tips during our Q&A.

Session Schedule (subject to change) 10 am to 2 pm (Toronto Time)

1. Welcome
2. Masterclass #1 with Owen Farr and Dan Thomas
3. Sectional – will be in 2 breakout rooms – upper brass with Owen Farr, and lower brass with Dan Thomas
4. Short Break
5. Masterclass #2 with Jonny Bates
6. Q&A with Owen, Dan and Jonny
7. Mini performance
8. Roundup

All of this for just $25!

Be inspired and hone your skills from these great musicians from the UK.

Before the day we will send you all the materials and instructions you will need.  Just make sure that you have a stable internet connection to get the most out of it.

 

Brass-ing Off! 3 April 2020, 7:30 pm

Tom Hutchinson

Principal Cornet of the world-renowned Cory Band (Wales)

joins Upper Canada Brass for an incredible evening of “brilliant” brass playing.

Tickets NOW on sale!  PURCHASE HERE

St Mary’s Anglican Church, 10030 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill

Sponsored in part by

 

“Brass-ing Off!” 3 April 2020, 7:30 pm

Our 2019-2020 season continues with our concert “Brass-ing Off!”  The Band will be playing popular brass band repertoire such as “Cornets Wild,” previewing our North American Brass Band Association competition music, along with selections from Canadian composers – Howard Cable’s “The Banks of Newfoundland” and James Gayfer’s “Canadian Landscapes.”  We also have a wonderful surprise in store, so be sure to save the date!  Come back soon for more details…..

“Impressions!” 2 Nov 2019, 7:30 pm

 

 

 

We’re taking our “Impressions!” concert on the road heading North!

So if you cant make it out on October 25th, make plans for November 2nd.

Details at our FB Page – https://www.facebook.com/events/377426743146006/

“Impressions!” 25 Oct 2019, 7:30 pm

 

 

 

Our 2019-2020 season begins with our concert “Impressions!”  The Band will be playing popular Brass Band repertoire such as Paul Lovatt-Cooper’s “When Thunder Calls” and Canadian Composer Kevin Lau’s “Impressions” and much more!  In addition we’ll be featuring 2 young cornettists!

For more details visit us on FB https://www.facebook.com/events/493704961470112/

Bring your love of music and a friend or two!

 

 

 

 

 

Come join us for “Summer Chops” Reading Session 2.0!

 

 

If you’re a brass player or a percussionist, come join us in some fun music making – no pressure allowed!  See our FB page for details.  https://www.facebook.com/events/2375127829395493/

“Brass-ing Off!”

 

 

We’re back from Fort Wayne, and wish to thank everyone for their support.  We’ve got repertoire from our Fort Wayne competition, Canadian repertoire – Thy Grand Redemption by Marcus Venables and Juno 1944 by Ty Watson, as well as a fun take-off from the 1996 film Brassed-Off written by Dan Price, and much more.

 

NABBA19 (April 5-7) – Rewarding!

We made it and Friday was very hectic!

First thing in the morning we loaded the percussion into Embassy Theatre for the 10pc Ensemble Class – we were the second group to perform!  (no one likes being first).  Our reward?  Kewl!

Immediately afterwards was our group photo with one awesome photographer, Brad, from Performing Arts Photography.  If you follow this link you’ll see the quality of what he and his team do!   https://www.performingarts.photography/f88823210

Afterwards a quick dash to our rehearsal venue to get rid of “road noise” and do a bit of dusting before our afternoon performance in the Embassy Theatre!

Lunch was for some none, for others normal – but by 1pm we started into the “competition flow” meaning that we began by placing our instrument cases in the assigned room, then followed a volunteer down 6 flights of stairs (the little elevator for the bigger instruments) to the warmup room, then through the “catacombs” (the windy, twisty halls of the basement), to back stage.

Then!   it was show time!!

Many of the musicians were a little uncomfortable with seeing a camera on stage, but that soon faded as the music began.  At one moment it felt as if the world was slowing down, then shortly thereafter, it was over!  A wonderful performance by all.  Yes – quite tired, but so glad to hear that we moved up from bottom 3rd of the section to the middle 3rd!

The remainder of the weekend was being Band Geeks!  Lots of great bands to listen to and lots of trades with instruments and music!

Cant wait to see what next year’s NABBA competition brings!

Our next event?  This Friday, the 12th at St Mary’s – come here the repertoire we did in Fort Wayne and more!

UCB presents “Fall Fair”

 OUR NEXT CONCERT – Friday 26 October 2018, 7:30 pm! 

featuring Upper Canada Brass – a full size British-style Brass Band.

Repertoire to include:

Fall Fair – Godfrey Ridout (Canadian)

Great North Overture – Kevin Lau (Canadian)

King of Diamonds Overture – Calixa Lavallee (yes – the composer of our National Anthem)

Ex Terra Lucem – Jonathan Bates (UK)

Fire in the Blood – Paul Lovatt-Cooper (UK)

and much more!