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Free concerts all weekend at 15th annual Ladner Bandfest

Ladner’s Memorial Park will be alive with the sounds of concert bands this weekend. The 15 th annual Ladner Bandfest, presented by Ladner-based Delta Music Makers, offers free concerts in the park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
bandfest
The 15th annual Ladner Bandfest culminates on Sunday afternoon with a performance from the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy.

Ladner’s Memorial Park will be alive with the sounds of concert bands this weekend.

The 15th annual Ladner Bandfest, presented by Ladner-based Delta Music Makers, offers free concerts in the park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The festival will feature 19 bands from throughout the Lower Mainland and beyond that will perform 40-minute concerts on a pair of stages in the park.

The weekend culminates with a performance by the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy at 4:40 p.m. on Sunday.

Unique this year is the presence of several military-style bands, including the Westies from the Royal Westminster Regiment, the British Columbia Regiment Band from Vancouver, the Retired Naval Veterans and the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy from Esquimalt.

Ladner Bandfest is backed by a strong committee led by band member Hilary Otten, who took over the reins from Curt Jantzen five years ago. 

“One of the things that happens is other bands hear about the Ladner Bandfest and they want to be a part of this great event,” said Jantzen, founder and music director of the Delta Music Makers.

 

bandfest
Curt Jantzen is the founder and music director of the Delta Music Makers. - file photo

 

“We have always based our registrations on first come, first served. This year we have a longer waiting list. It’s a great event and these bands love to come and watch the other bands as well. We are certainly doing something right. It should be a great weekend of music.”

Those planning to attend are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets to enjoy old-fashioned concerts in the park. Food services will be provided by TOOB, who will have a heathier menu this year to go along with their signature curly fries, burgers, and hotdogs.

The Delta Music Makers are pleased to provide an annual cash bursary to the top music student from Delta Secondary. That bursary will be presented on Saturday to the hard-working student selected by his/her DSS band teacher.

Long and McQuade Music has been a long-time sponsor, providing not only the amps and drums for the two stages, but also a free invitation to its annual New Music Reading Clinic for each of the bands. Additional equipment for the event is provided by DSS and Seaquam Secondary. The facilities at Memorial Park are provided with help from the City of Delta.

Tapestry Music will also be present, offering free instrument servicing to the 800 participating musicians.

 

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

11 a.m. – Lynn Valley Black Bear Band

11:40 a.m. – South Fraser Community Band

12:20 p.m. – New Westminster & District Concert Band

1 p.m. – Vancouver Traveling Band

1:40 p.m. – Cascadia Wind Ensemble

2:20 p.m. – Presentations and Special Guests

2:40 p.m. – Vancouver Naval Veterans Band

3:30 p.m. – A Little Night Music

4 p.m. – Langley Concert Band

4:40 p.m. – Delta Music Makers

5:20 p.m. – Brass, Wind and Wire

 

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

11 a.m. – British Columbia Regiment Band

11:40 a.m. – North Vancouver Community Band

12:20 p.m. – The Band of the Royal Westminster Regiment

1 p.m. – Delta Concert Band

1:40 p.m. – Richmond Community Concert Band

2:20 p.m. – Presentations and Special Guests

2:40 p.m. – Royal City Concert Band

3:20 p.m. – Little Mountain Brass Band

4 p.m. – Fraser Valley Wind Ensemble

4:40 p.m. – Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy