Gower Band Program Turns 50 years old!
1973-2023/24
The first rehearsal of the Gower Youth Band (GYB) took place on October 31, 1973. Director Edsel Bonnell was expecting 15-20 young musicians at the rehearsal, but only 3 showed up. Rather than view the evening as a failure, Mr. Bonnell spoke with the three young people in attendance to find out why no one else showed up ("It's Halloween sir"), why those three chose to be there ("I want to learn to play the trumpet"), and what the future might hold for the GYB. They talked, some music was played, and Mr. Bonnell left the rehearsal excited, predicting the GYB would do great things in the years ahead.
The Gower Community Band is the continuation of the original Gower Youth Band. Formed in 1997 as a second group in the Gower Band Program, the GCB soon became the torchbearer as the GYB folded into the all-ages group a few years later.
On October 31, 2023, the GYB/GCB will celebrate 50 years. In order to properly mark this historic occasion, the GCB is making the entire 2023-2024 season a 50th Anniversary celebration. Concerts will include a generous selection of music played by both bands over the years mixed in with newer pieces. A special Banquet for band members and alumni and a special Gala Concert are planned for the weekend of May 10 (Banquet) & 11 (Concert), 2024 to bring the 50th year celebrations to a spectacular finish. We are pleased to announce a special guest performer for this concert: Mike Herriott! Mike is a world-renowned trumpet virtuoso and is also an alumnus of the Gower Youth Band.
UPDATE: We kicked off our 50th Anniversary celebrations at Gower Street United Church on October 29, 2023 with a service dedicated to the band. We offered reflections on our 50 years, greetings from our Director Emeritus (and Director for 45 years) Edsel Bonnell, and unveiled the new logo seen at the top of this page.
UPDATE: Our concert at D.F. Cook Hall on May 11 was a huge success! Special thanks to everyone in attendance, our corporate sponsors, guest MCs, and the band for such a spectacular performance!