THE BATTLEFORDS ‑ The North Battleford City Kinsmen Band has a long history of supporting local youth participation in the Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival. Check out this trip down memory lane time capsule of names from way back that was uncovered just over two years on a wall during renovations at the SHE-NANIGANS performing arts venue.
Though previous to SHE-NANIGANS the building had become known as the Slava Ukrainian Social Hall, the building originally housed the city band as is evident from the wall of signatures. The non-profit community band organization has a 70-year history of being open to musicians of all ages and skill levels. In addition to support of the annual music festival, the Battlefords area community often sees them at community events as the Branch No. 70 Royal Canadian Legion Community Remembrance Day Service and the carol festival. Band members often assist other choral/music groups in the community.
The organization’s vision is to encourage, develop and support musicians of all ages through learning opportunities, performances, service and community engagement. The current band hall always offers its space for music festival instrumental classes.
Moving ahead from its beginnings 70 years ago, today the NBCK offers a range of options. The concert band (adults and advanced high school students) play standard concert band repertoire, marches, show tunes and band classics. The jazz band (adult community members and advanced high school students) plays a mix of jazz standards and contemporary big band music. The flex band ensemble is a non-performance group designed with flexibility and fun in mind catering to those wishing to continue their musical journey in a stress-free environment. The NBCK Youth Ensemble is comprised of school-aged students from throughout the Battlefords. This group is meant to supplement and enhance the music opportunities present in schools. Youths can expect to play a variety of pieces from the traditional/contemporary concert band repertoire. Interested students also have the opportunity to form their own chamber ensembles (saxophone quartets, brass quintets) or jazz combos.
As for current news from the Battlefords festival committee, it’s that time of year again when students are invited to submit creative artwork for the drawing contest. The deadline is Feb. 18. Submit entries by mail to: Battleford Central School attn: Lindsay Charabin, Box 400, Battleford, S0M 0E0 or Ecole Monseigneur Blaise Morand attn: Trina Bahrey, 1651 - 96th St, North Battleford, S9A 0H7.
The 2022 Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival is scheduled to run from March 20 – April 1.
In keeping with Black History Month, it seemed fitting to mention saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis. Many credit him with putting the funk into the music of James Brown. He co-wrote with Brown “Say it Loud, I’m Black and Proud” that was released in August 1968 just four months after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. It became the crowning anthem of the civil rights movement holding the top spot on the U.S. R&B chart for six-week peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song resurged in popularity in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement after the death of George Floyd, resonating with another generation continuing to address this issue.
“America was built on slavery and exploitation, but change is coming. I'm deeply proud to have played a part in creating a song that is inspiring young people today.” – Pee Wee Ellis (1941 - 2021)
