About
About the GCB
The Gower Community Band (GCB) is a non-denominational community service outreach initiative of Gower Street United Church. We are proud of its distinguished heritage of music education and community service dating back to the founding of the Gower Youth Band in October 1973.
Membership is open to anyone who has a love of band music and enjoys the challenge and satisfaction of developing musical skills along with a sincere commitment to community service. The GCB meets every Wednesday evening from 8:00-9:30 in the band room at Gower (located above the office), and new members are welcomed at any time.
The Gower band program has been especially appreciated by those who move to the St. John's area through career transfers or post-secondary education and look for an opportunity to participate in expanded community service, and for adults who have played in school or university bands and wish to continue playing and learning after graduation. There are no membership fees.
The 2023-2024 season will be a year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Gower Band Program. Any GYB or GCB alumni visiting this page are urged to use the Contact Us page to send us an email. Tell us what you're up to these days, and get updates on the 50th anniversary celebrations!
Shows both big and small
The band performs 6-8 times a year, some of which are smaller ensemble performances. A special focus of the GCB is performing at Seniors' Residences, providing "concerts for people who can't get out to concerts".
We perform two concerts per year in our "Downtown Pops Concert" series, in the fall and spring. Both take place at Gower Street United Church and are free of charge.
The GCB makes itself available to the community for benefit concerts and entertainment for institutions and service organizations.
Music Education
The band also has a strong commitment to music education, and maintains annual scholarship programs both internally and at Memorial University for promising young musicians in performance, teaching, and composition.
We are especially proud of our Terra Nova Program (TNP) for new concert band compositions written by students at MUN School of Music.
Gower Community Band
