Remembrance Day is observed on Monday, November 11th , 2024. At the service in your community, look out for the group that is providing music for the service. It may be a band from your community providing music to honour veterans, those we have lost, and those actively serving our country. To recognize Remembrance Day, let learn a bit of history.

History of the Last Post

The Last Post is played at Remembrance Day ceremonies and military funerals throughout the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth countries. This significant piece of music started off as a simple means of communication amongst camp. The Last Post was published in the 1790's, with the composer lost to history. The First Post was played to signify that the duty officer was beginning his inspection of the sentry posts around camp. Once this job was complete, the Last Post would be played to signify that the camp was closed for the night, and that it was a time for peace and rest. The Last Post was also played to signify the end of fighting during conflict. It gained its association with war remembrance in the mid-19th century when it was played at the graves of soldiers that had died in conflict abroad. The symbolism of the Last Post signifying the end of the day then extended to symbolizing the end of a life.

History of Bands in Canada's Military

Military bands have been present in Canada for many years, with the first Canadian Militia bands appearing in the late 18th century, and the first regular armed forces bands in Canada being formed in 1899. By the time military bands were established in Canada, the bands were more focused on recruiting and state occasions than with the field of battle. For over 100 years, military bands remained the basis of instrumental ensemble performance in Canada. Band members were the backbone of the music profession in Canada, along with church organists, for a number of years. During the North-West Resistance, a brass band from the 90th Regiment, Winnipeg had become the pride and joy of the force, showing the importance of these bands not just to communities, but for moral as well. During WWI the establishment of every Canadian Expeditionary Force battalion was increased to optionally include a band master and bandsmen. The first tattoo ceremony took place in Camp Borden during this time as well. During WWII, militia units were not allowed to enlist their bands for overseas service, although the decision to recruit musicians for training centers across Canada was made in 1940. In 1942, there were 136 authorized active force bands in Canada and 69 overseas. By 1944, only 10 Full-time bands were maintained overseas. To be a musicina in Canadian Military Bands, you must still go through basic training and be assigned to a base. The military musicians are often the face of the military, as they are the people who are connecting with the Canadian citizens.  

University of Regina Saxophone and Clarinet Ensembles

Date and time: Monday, November 18th 2024, 7:00PM

Location: University of Regina Riddell Center Theatre, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina

About: Join the members of the UofR's saxophone and clarinet ensembles for their term end concert. Featuring both students and community members, the concert is sure to be a treat! The University of Regina's small ensemble concerts are typically free admission. 

Carter Powley and the Chop Shop: Live at the Cure

Date and time: Friday November 22nd, 7:00PM

Location: The Cure, 2323 11th Avenue, Regina

About: Join Carter Powley and the Chop Shop for a night of live jazz! Featuring Carter Powley on saxophone, Jihye Im on the keys, Danny Jones on bass, and Justin Hauck on drums, it is sure to be a great night! Enjoy some food and drinks while tapping your toes to the music they have to offer!

University of Saskatchewan Jazz Ensemble: Rhythms of Swing: The Duke and Beyond

Date and time: Friday November 22nd 2024, 7:30PM

Location: Quance Theatre, 28 Campus Drive, Saskatoon

About: Join the USask Jazz Ensemble for a night of jazz! The concert will highlight the iconic works of Duke Ellington, alongside other classic repertoire that defined the golden age of jazz. Doors open at 7:00PM for the concert.

Advance tickets are available on EventBrite

Dan Pitt Quintet

Date and time: Saturday November 23rd, 2024, 7:30PM

Location: The Bassment, 202 4th Ave N, Saskatoon

About: An adventurous ensemble led by Toronto guitarist and composer Dan Pitt, this group blends styles and influences from a wide array of music genres. The compositions allow the players freedom to move in whatever direction they want and to go as far out as they want. 

Tickets are available on EventBrite

Sinta Quartet: New Traditions

Date and time: Sunday November 24th 2024, 3:00PM

Location: Darke Hall, 2255 College Ave, Regina

About: Part of the Cecilian Chamber Series, the Sinta Quartet is playing music that has had a lasting influence on chamber music and endured as tradition that remains alive and vibrant! The Sinta Quartet will catalogue great traditional music from around the globe arranged for saxophone quartet.

Tickets are available on Darke Hall's Website

University of Saskatchewan Concert Band: Around the World and Beyond

Date and time: Wednesday November 27th 2024, 7:30Pm

Location: Quance Theatre, 28 Campus Drive, Saskatoon

About: The uSask Concert Band performs pieces from the anime "Hibike! Euphonium" as well as pieces by Davoren, Hess, Thomas, and Jennifer Jolley's "Questions to Heaven" which uses fixed media as a meditative piece about the isolation of the COVID pandemic and its relation to space exploration.

Advance tickets are available on EventBrite

University of Regina Concert Band

Date and time: Thursday November 28th, 2024, 7:30PM

Location: University of Regina Riddell Center Theatre, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina

About: Join the University of Regina's Concert Band for a night full of music! Led by Brent Ghiglione, the band will play a mix of traditional and contemporary repertoire. 

Tickets are $15 for students, $15 for Seniors, $20 for Adults, and FREE for U of R Students with a valid student ID, and can be purchased on Showpass

University of Saskatchewan Wind Orchestra: Scenes from Past to Present

Date and time: Friday November 29th 2024, 7:30PM

Location: St. Joseph High School, 115 Nelson Rd, Saskatoon

About: The U of S Wind Orchestra, established in 1972 is in its 52nd season and will present a variety of traditional and new repertoire for this medium, celebrating a diverse pool of representative composers, styles, and culture. The program will include works by Elizabeth Raum, Omar Thomas, Susan LaBarr/Eric Wilson, Alfred Reed, David Maslanka, Thomas Doss, Glen Gillis, Dolores Claman/Howard Cable, and George Gates.

Advance tickets are available on EventBrite

University of Regina New Music and Percussion Ensemble Concert

Date and time: Friday November 29th 2024, 7:00PM

Location: University of Regina Riddell Center ShuBox Theatre, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina

About: Join the University of Regina's New Music and Percussion Ensembles for a night of exciting music! 

Admission is FREE for everyone!

University of Regina Trombone Ensemble Concert

Date and time: Saturday November 30th 2024, 2;30PM

Location: Darke Hall, 2255 College Ave, Regina

About: The University of Regina Trombone Ensemble led by Dr. David Dick presents a concert of dazzling music featuring the talented trombone players of Regina.

Admission is FREE!

Yorkton Community Band and All That Jazz Big Band: A Classic Christmas Concert

Date and time: Sunday December 1st, 2:00PM

Location: Anne Portnuff Theatre, Yorkton Regional High School, 150 Gladstone Avenue N, Yorkton

About: Join the Yorkton Community Band and All That Jazz Big band for a night of Christmas classics! Admission is by donation at the door.

Warman Community Band: A Night at the Movies

Date and time: Sunday, December 1st, 7:30PM

Location: Warman Communiplex Theatre, 701 Centennial Blvd, Warman

About: Join the Warman Community Band for a night of epic movie music. The concert will feature Kevin Junk, Olekzander Samarin, Michael Perkins, Kathryn Shulz, and Grant Currie. Admission is by donation at the door.

University of Regina Orchestra Concert

Date and time: Monday December 2nd 2024, 8:00PM

Location: University of Regina Riddell Center Theatre, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina

About: Join the University of Regina's Orchestra for a night of traditional and  contemporary music for orchestra, led by Adrian Casas.

Tickets are $15 for Students, $15 for Seniors, $20 for Adults, and FREE for U of R students with a valid student ID

Tickets can be purchased on Showpass

University of Saskatchewan Symphony Orchestra: The New World!

Date and time: Tuesday December 3rd 2024, 7:30PM

Location: Quance Theatre, 28 Campus Drive, Saskatoon

About: The uSask Symphony Orchestra performs classics such as Ive's "The Unanswered Question" and Dvorak's "Symphony No. 9". The ensemble will also feature David Kaplan Chair, Dr. Véronique Mathieu (violin) on Nigel Hess' "Theme from Ladies in Lavender". Rounding up the concert will be music from West Side Story, Naruto, and Rocky.

Advance tickets are available on EventBrite

University of Regina Wind Ensemble Concert

Date and time: Tuesday December 3rd 2024, 7:30PM

Location: University of Regina Riddell Center Theatre, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina

About: Join the University of Regina's Wind Ensemble for a night of traditional and contemporary music for band led by Brent Ghiglione.

Tickets are $15 for Students, $15 for Seniors, $20 for Adults, and FREE for U of R students with a valid student ID

Tickets can be purchased on Showpass

University of Regina Jazz Ensembles

Date and time: Wednesday December 4th 2024, 7:30PM

Location: University of Regina Riddell Center Theatre, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina

About: Please join the University of Regina Jazz Ensembles led by Dr. David Dick and Chad Huel in an evening of traditional and contemporary repertoire for jazz band.

Ticekts are $15 for Students, $15 for Seniors, $20 for Adults, and FREE for U of R students with a valid student ID

Tickets can be purchased on Showpass

Creative Kids Funding

The next deadline for Creative Kids financial aid is December 4th. Returning applicants and new applicants are welcome to apply. The funding from this application can be applied to activity costs beginning in January 2025, and cannot be used for activity costs incurred prior to the application deadline.

For more information and to apply, visit the Creative Kids Website