Reader here, and after taking a season off, I grabbed my trumpet and made my way back to the band room at the Yorkton Regional High School last night, for my first rehearsal for the 2025-26 season, with the Yorkton Community Concert Band and All That Jazz Big Band!
I’ve been part of the bands in Yorkton off and on since 2012, and it’s been a lot of fun getting to play in a band again.
I first picked up the horn when I was in Grade Five. I’m not going to try and figure out when that was, suffice it to say, it was a long time ago!
I believe that when I first joined the band, back in Conquest, we had to give out top three choices, when it came to what instrument we’d like to play. If I remember correctly, I think my choices were drums/percussion, saxophone, and trumpet, not necessarily in that order. I think due to sheer numbers, the band was a little thin in the trumpet section, and that’s what I was assigned.
And the rest, they say, is history, though I admit that after all these years, I can’t imagine playing anything else!
Being part of the band has given me the opportunity to make friends, share a mutual love of music, and develop a talent, while finding a source of creativity.
I’ve also been able to go on band trips, which were always a blast! As part of the Outlook High School bands, I’ve been able to go to the national music competition (MusicFest) in Winnipeg (Grade Seven), Edmonton (Grade Ten) and Calgary (Grade Twelve), winning silver, gold and silver, respectively. Other great trips included to Moose Jaw in Grade Nine, and Bismarck, North Dakota in Grade Twelve.
Oh, and the return of the Jazz Band to Outlook in Grade Ten gave me a new love, and the confidence to really step out front as part of the group and take the lead, playing solos, and finding I had a knack for it!
When I first joined the bands here in Yorkton, I hadn’t played in a band since Grade Twelve, back in 1995… 30 years ago!
Suffice it to say, I had to get the lips back in shape, much like I have to right now. When you’ve played trumpet for a long time, your chops get conditioned to taking a beating, but when you don’t play for a while, it takes a bit of time to get back to where you need to be, both when it comes to your lips and your lungs! The best thing I could compare it to is is a guitar player doesn’t play for a while, and then picks up the instrument and has to build up calluses on the fingers of their fret hand!
Some of the new music we’re playing this season include selections from “Hamilton” and “The Greatest Showman,” and we’re working on some other music, as we prepare for Christmas shows over the next few months. It’ll be fun to strike up the band before an audience once again, so if you’re a live music lover, the Community Band will be playing a Christmas concert in conjunction with the Community Choir on December 7, at the Anne Portnuff Theatre, while the All That Jazz Big Band is gearing up for its Christmas show on November 26, at the Painted Hand Casino. Hope to see you there!
Oh, and if you’re musically inclined, and play an instrument, the bands are are always looking for new members. Both bands rehearse on Tuesday nights at the band room in the Yorkton Regional High School (concert band from 7-8:20ish / jazz band from 8:30 to 10). All ages and skill levels are welcome. Come on out and give it a try!
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