Category: Member Info

Hello my fellow music lovers,
I hope you and your families are all doing well, given all that has been happening over the past few weeks.
A few weeks ago, I advised that HCB rehearsals had been cancelled for the remainder of April as a result of the ongoing state of emergency and closure of public schools. As you may know, on Tuesday the Province of Nova Scotia announced the extension of both the state of emergency and the school closure. As a result, we will not have access to the Bella Rose before May 19, 2020, at the earliest, and large groups (such as our band) are still prohibited from gathering.
I am sorry to advise that yesterday the HCB Board, in consultation with our Musical Director, Dave Staples, made the very painful decision to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 HCB season.
Members will receive a $55 credit towards membership dues in September 2020, or, upon request, a $55 refund. Our librarian, Debbie McGuire, asks that you keep all of your music, including the Irish folders and “Funny” Books.
Should any member be planning not to return in September, please contact Debbie at librarian@halifaxconcertband.ca to make secure arrangements to return your music. You may also request a $55 refund of 2019-20 membership dues by contacting our Membership Chair, Bob Kanygin, at membership@halifaxconcertband.ca
Like many of you, I have missed both the musical and social aspects of our weekly rehearsals. It has been our custom for many years to close our season with a social function, and we will make every effort to arrange something in June 2020, should conditions then permit, or early September. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible when we resume rehearsals, hopefully on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Until then, have a safe Spring, and happy practicing!
Yours in harmony and hope,
John Underhill President Halifax Concert Band Society www.halifaxconcertband.ca

Hello my fellow HCB musicians,
I hope all of you are getting by as best you can given the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated government response.
In mid-March, the Nova Scotia government announced the closure of all public schools, and on March 16, I wrote to you advising that the remaining March HCB rehearsals were being cancelled as a result.
The public school closure was recently extended until at least May 1, 2020. Our Musical Director, Dave Staples, has advised that the Kiwanis Music Festival has been cancelled for this year, and he confirms we will not have access to the Bella Rose or to Halifax West High School before May 1, if at all.
I have consulted with Dave and my fellow members of the HCB Society Board. In view of the ongoing state of emergency and associated restrictions on public gatherings, I regret to advise you that HCB rehearsals for the remainder of April 2020 have been cancelled. Although no final decision has yet been made about the remainder of the 2019-20 HCB season, a number of options are being considered, and the Board plans to meet again before the end of April, following which you can expect a decision to be announced.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through these very challenging times together.
Yours in harmony and hope,
John
John Underhill President Halifax Concert Band Society www.halifaxconcertband.ca

Hi all,
Gentle reminder that there will not be a rehearsal on Tuesday March 31. Waiting to hear about April 7.
Thanks

Hi all,
Gentle reminder that there will not be a rehearsal on Tuesday March 24, or Tuesday March 31.
Thanks

Hi all,
With the Province closing all schools for the two weeks following March break, I have confirmed with Dave that we will not have access to the Bellerose during that time. We have also briefly discussed options if the schools remain closed, and we both agree that relocating our rehearsal location would defeat the purpose of the school closures, which is to limit the spread of the virus.
Please be advised that during the two weeks following at March break, when the schools are closed, HCB rehearsals (March 24 and 31) will be cancelled.
Thanks,
John

Hi all,
First of all, I would like to thank all of you very much for your dedication and hard work these past few weeks in preparing for our annual “Irish” concert. I’m sure it would have been yet another excellent performance from the band and our guests. The need to cancel the event became clearly evident this past Wednesday after an almost surreal shift in decision-making everywhere regarding closures, cancellations and suspension of activities. It was a tough call but definitely the right decision and I would like to commend the Band Executive, under John Underhill’s leadership, for making this decision in a timely manner and with adequate consultaion.
Moving forward, I did receive an email on Friday from David Burtt at Halifax West saying that the School Board has cancelled all concerts and sports activities until the end of April so that means that we will not be having our combined concert with the Grade 10 Halifax West Band on Tuesday evening, March 24th. Because of coronavirus precautions, I am not sure what the policy will be for the HCB’s use of rehearsal facilities at Halifax West (under the Bella Rose’s sponsorship) in the immediate future so that will have to be determined before we can confirm when our next rehearsal will be.
Stay tuned and please stay safe and healthy.
Dave