The Kimberley Community Band is pleased to once again be holding free concerts in the downtown platzl. All shows start at 7:30 pm and will feature a variety of musical styles.
The KCB is a group of 25-30 amateur musicians, mainly from Kimberley and Cranbrook but also from Invermere, Windemere, Yahk, Bonner's Ferry, and other towns.
The KCB rehearses weekly and performs regularly at local events, as well as performing in-house at long-term care homes and other venues. Our annual performance schedule includes a summer concert series in the Platzl, giving five free evening concerts under the gazebo; Kimberley’s Remembrance Day ceremony and at the Royal Canadian Legion following the ceremony; Canada Day celebrations in the Platzl and at Fort Steele Heritage Town; Marysville Daze; and others . Members pay modest annual dues to cover the cost of purchasing music and equipment and to provide the conductor with a small honorarium
About the Conductors
1997-2007, 2011-present Ian Ferrie took over the baton from the band's founder, Bob Grigg in 1997. He has a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education from the University of Calgary as well as a Diploma of Fine Arts in conducting and band literature.
Ian started his musical career as a chorister in church and cathedral choirs, and played French horn in high school, the University of Calgary and the University of Western Ontario. As a military musician for eight years with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and the Royal Canadian Artillery, Ian played at Provincial Legislature openings, receptions for the Queen Mother, receptions at Rideau Hall and the Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill. One of his favourites was the opening ceremonies at Expo '86 in Vancouver. Other musical credits include the Kingston Symphony, the Calgary Civic Symphony, the Symphony of the Kootenays, and Eric Friedenberg's Big Band. He taught music and band in Hearst ON, Calgary AB, and Kimberley BC. While in Calgary, Ian was also much in demand as a clinician in the Calgary and area schools.
2013-present Jeannie McDonald is the assistant conductor of the KCB. She began her musical career as a pianist, flutist, and private music teacher in London, Ontario. In London, she received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Western Ontario, followed by a Diploma of Fine Arts in television and radio from SAIT in Calgary. As well as a radio music producer at CBC-Calgary, she taught flute, conducted playing clinics and worked as a freelance musician in Calgary. Since moving to Kimberley, Jeannie has continued as a freelance musician, flute and piano teach and clinician.
2007-2013 Laurel Ralston was appointed as KCB conductor in September 2007. As a trumpeter and flautist, she has performed with a number of professional and semi-professional orchestras including the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra, and currently the Symphony of the Kootenays. Laurel has participated in chamber music performances for former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, former UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and other dignitaries.
Laurel holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Ottawa, received additional training at the Domaine Forget Music and Dance Academy, and has won multiple first prizes at the Ottawa Kiwanis Music Festival. Her teachers include Robert Oades, Karen Donnelly, Mike Fedyshyn, and Peggy Campbell.
1994-1997 Bob Grigg formed the Kimberley Community Band in 1994. His goal was to provide former high school musicians with a musical venue in the form of a wind ensemble in Kimberley. Bob’s vision was to provide a sociable musical setting for former high school musicians to play their instruments and at the director of music’s discretion, perform publicly.