Big bands, big sound
Church music series to focus on large ensembles
WATERLOO — Forty years ago, First United Church in Waterloo recognized there was a lot of musical talent in the region and then there was that spacious chancel in the church, a space that was only used on Sunday. And so the free Tuesday noon-hour concert series was born.
The response from the public meant they were onto something so 14 years ago, when the church purchased the beautiful Gabriel Kney organ, a new group was created, First’s Organ Recital Concert Committee. That committee holds a couple of innovative concerts a year, usually highlighting the organ. On Nov. 4, that series will feature organist Jan Overduin performing the North American premier of “Fantasia Apocalyptica.”
Now, a group of parishioners have launched yet another series, “First On Stage” and when asked why, committee member Peter Black replied, “We’re responding to a need in the community.”
In fact, this new series will focus on the larger ensembles such as the 17piece, K-W Big Band Theory which performs Sunday, Oct. 28, 3 p.m. with vocalists, Derek Hines and Nathan Martin.
For this new series, Black said it will always be about big numbers, big sound, lots of music makers on a stage that can accommodate just about any size ensemble.
The idea of holding such concerts at the church evolved after Black happened to be chatting with members of the Toronto All Star Band, a Big Band with more than two dozen players.
“I talked to them about coming here and they said they couldn’t find a venue,” said Black, who then thought “what about the church?”
“The chancel has room for them,” added John Hill, a musician and member of the nascent First on Stage committee. Hill is fairly new to Waterloo Region and after arriving he was surprised at all the music this community has to offer. He wanted to be part of the action and jumped at the chance to bring even more music to First United with this new series.
“It really is a good venue,” said Hill who added that in his former community near Hamilton, it was difficult to get people to come out to concerts whereas here, audiences are often queueing at the door. He recognized there are several good venues in the area but most are limited by space.
“The Registry (Theatre) is a good venue and I know the Jazz Room,” he said. “We don’t want to compete with them.”
Black said they had conversations with both venues before launching this new series and were delighted by the response. “They’re fully behind us,” he said.
“We have a wonderful space (in the church) and would like to see it used more,” added Hill.
The series will feature many genres of music: jazz, and choral groups such as the 80-member Noteworthy Singers as well barbershop choruses, jazz groups and instrumental ensembles.
“We could even do an opera,” enthused Black, hoping First on Stage will also be part of the annual Winter Jazz Weekend, Feb. 8 to 10 at both the Registry in Kitchener and the Waterloo’s Jazz Room.
Hill noted, the new concert series is part of First United's long history of community engagement and social outreach and he said income from the concerts provide much-needed influx of cash for upgrading the aging church.
For 40 years the church has run its free noon hour concert series Tuesdays from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., with lunch provided by the choir auxiliary. The $8 lunch generates enough funds to pay the musicians.
That series event regularly attracts audiences of 200 who munch on lunch while nestled into the sanctuary pews listening to music provided by mostly local professional musicians, several that enjoy international reputations such as the Springdale Trio performing Nov. 20.
The trio is comprised of three stellar musicians: Wendy Wagler on flute, Ben Bolt-Martin, cello and Boyd McDonald, piano. With Wilfrid Laurier University’s renowned music faculty nearby, there is never a shortage of talented faculty members and students available.
With all this music going on in the church, it’s perhaps surprising there was any performance opportunities left untapped, but then there were those big ensembles just waiting for an opportunity.
“We won’t be having any quartets,” joked Black.