2005 Prairie Brass Band Festival

2005 at Saskatoon - April 29 & 30

The 5th Annual Prairie Brass Band Festival was sponsored by the Saskatoon Brass Band and held at Third Avenue United Church on April 29th and 30th, 2005.

Two features in particular were of special interest to a Saskatoon audience. The Saskatoon Brass Band commissioned Dr. David Kaplan, an icon in the music scene in Saskatoon, to compose a signature piece for brass band for an inaugural performance by the combined band. In addition to conducting this performance of the piece, Dr. Kaplan also agreed to serve as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

Capping off the evening was a stirring performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. The impressive sound of over 100 brass and percussion players performing this classic and popular tribute to Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s armies had never before been heard in Saskatoon.

Guest conductor for the combined band was Bob Gibson. Bob came to Canada from England in 1965 with an impressive resume as a trombonist, choralier, and band director. He has been a fixture on the music scene in Prince Albert, serving as Director of many school bands, the Prince Albert Lions Band, and numerous choral groups. He presently conducts the Prince Albert Community Band and the Prince Albert Men’s Chorus. We were delighted to have Bob serve as guest conductor for the 2005 festival.

View the 2005 PBBF Poster