Hundreds of concert band performers will be gathering in Memorial Peace Park on Sunday to perform a free concert.
Around 200 performers will be taking part in the inaugural event called Fraser Valley Concert Band Fest.
Maple Ridge Concert Band is hosting the festival, which will include the local band and three others from across the Lower Mainland.
Gale Yip, organizer, and a member of the Maple Ridge Concert Band, explained they came up with the idea after being approached by the Fraser Valley Wind Ensemble.
They thought instead of doing individual concerts, why not make a day of it and invite the entire community.
“If it’s successful we’ld like to make it an annual event,” said Yip, noting they could easily host eight bands.
But, this year they are keeping the concert small and simple to test the waters before expanding.
On Sunday, Maple Ridge Concert Band conducted by Dr. John Van Deursen will kick off the concert at 11 a.m., and will be followed by the Langley Concert Band conducted by Dylan Hohm at noon, Cascadia Wind Ensemble conducted by Shannon Goldsmith at 1 p.m., and then at 2 p.m. the Fraser Valley Wind Ensemble conducted by Josh Rauw.
Maple Ridge Concert Band will be playing a variety of pieces including: a march by John Philip Sousa; the “Poet and Peasant” by Franz von Suppe; “A Canadian Folk Rhapsody” by Canadian composer Donald Coakley; and ABBA on Broadway, among others.
Yip is hoping people will bring their lawn chairs and picnic blankets, pack the park, and enjoy an afternoon of easy listening concert band music.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Maple Ridge Concert Band performing in the community. Their earliest documented concert took place in April 1946.
The group will be celebrating their anniversary at their Twilight Tuesday events at 7:30 p.m. July 7, 14, 21, and 28, also in Memorial Peace Park.
Fraser Valley Concert Band Fest takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, at the bandstand in Memorial Peace Park, 11930 224 St., Maple Ridge.
For more about the Maple Ridge Concert Band go to: https://www.mrcb.ca/.