Choir Meets Band: Raising the Roof

One of Nova Voce’s favourite gears is fortissimo. Or to put it politely – the choir has never struggled to project a big sound.

But the choir will almost certainly meet its match on May 13 when it joins the brass, woodwind, string and percussion players of the Sackville Concert Band for a combined performance at St. Andrews Church in Halifax.

Lets hope the church’s roof is well-attached, and fully insured.

MOBILE BREAK

Nova Voce and the Sackville band have performed together before, but this will be their first joint concert in many years. Bryan Crocker, Nova Voce’s co-director who also plays baritone sax with the band, says it was time for a reunion.

“Since COVID, the band has actually grown in numbers, and really tightened,” he says.

“The band is amazing, it’s a beautiful sound. I’m looking forward to (the choir’s) audience actually hearing the band, and the band hearing Nova Voce too.”

The Sackville Concert Band is an auditioned group of about 60 members, conducted by Jim Forde, a former conductor of the Stadacona band and also a former musical director of the Royal Nova Scotia Tattoo.

Band members are a mix of ex-military musicians, current and retired music teachers, as well as professional and good amateur musicians.

“We play everything from marches to band overtures,” says Bryan. “We’re playing some really neat tango and bossa nova music. We also play the best of Louis Armstrong – we’ve got an amazing trumpet section.”

On May 13 the band and Nova Voce will each perform their own repertoires, and also combine forces on a couple of pieces.

Hold onto your hats, things could get loud.