The Moose Jaw Adult Concert Band is hitting a new note this fall, launching a beginner-level group to welcome first-time players and longtime musicians looking for a fresh start.

The new ensemble will rehearse from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday evenings at Vanier Collegiate’s band room, beginning Oct. 9. Band administrator Kurt Gillett said the initiative marks a shift toward accessibility and growth.

“We’re looking to expand what we’re offering beyond just the concert band that runs into the spring. We’re starting with a beginner group,” he explained. “It’s an adult group still, but it’s a beginner band where you could learn to play an instrument if you never learned how and would like to start, or if you play an instrument and want to learn how to play a second or third instrument, or if you haven’t played for years and you don’t feel like you’re ready to jump into a more advanced group.”

The group already has six to eight people registered, ranging from absolute beginners to returning players. Gillett emphasized that smaller numbers are ideal at this stage.

“For a beginner-level group you don’t want a big band anyway,” he said. “Usually you want a smaller group so you can get more help and more attention when you’re first starting out, but if we gain some more numbers that would be good.”

Participants are asked to bring their own instruments, though guidance is available for those looking to rent, purchase, or borrow one. Sheet music will be provided, and the cost to join is a modest $20. Most woodwind, brass and percussion instruments are welcome, including flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium and tuba, Gillett noted.

“We’re recommending that you pick one of the typical band instruments,” Gillett said, though he noted more advanced options like the French horn, oboe and bassoon are welcome for those up to the challenge.

Rehearsals will run under the direction of Janie Fries, chairwoman of the band’s festival committee, with the first evening focusing heavily on one-on-one guidance.

“On that first night, we’re going to have volunteers from the Concert Band for each instrument represented in the beginner band,” Gillett said. “We’re going to have a volunteer there to help them learn how to put it together, clean it, hold it properly, blow into it properly, and play the first notes.”

Rehearsals are planned until early December, though the group may continue into 2026 based on participation.

“It’s going to turn into a sort of feeder into the Concert Band, because right now the Concert Band is only for people who have already learned how to play an instrument at the high school level,” he said. “If you haven’t (learned to play at that level already) then it’s not really accessible. We’re trying to make this more accessible, so that there’s a way for people who didn’t grow up playing an instrument (to participate).”

Looking ahead, the group is considering rebranding from the Moose Jaw Adult Concert Band into the Moose Jaw Community Band — a structure that could one day include jazz ensembles, small quartets, or even a clarinet choir.

“There’s a lot of interest in the band right now …,” he said. “We’re going to be an entity that can have whatever bands people are looking for … people are really motivated to make some new things happen, and that’s awesome. This is the beginning of it.”

For more information or to register, email MJAConcertBand@gmail.com.

Aaron Walker

Reporter

Moose Jaw Express