Edmonton School Boys Alumni Band ends the concert year with fun

There are precious few concert bands that have a collective experience of more than 1,500 years. Yes, you’ve read the figure correctly.

Despite this wealth of experience or possibly because of it, the Edmonton School Boys Alumni Band (ESBAB) makes music for the sheer pleasure. A composite of 56 men and women heading into their senior years, the 1996 band is an offshoot of the famed Edmonton School Boys Band.

“This is a gathering of people who love to make music and have fun doing it,” says conductor Armand Baril during an interview for Under The Baton, their final season concert held set for Sunday at the St. Albert United Church.

A former CBC producer, gifted pianist, bass-clarinetist and percussionist, Baril has piloted the band since 2000. It’s his vigour and enthusiasm that is largely responsible for more than doubling the original number of 25 members.

Versatile in every form, the band has attracted former Edmonton Symphony Orchestra members, professional and semi-professional musicians, life-long music teachers and a mix of other players.

For a variety of reasons, a fair number of St. Albert musicians have joined Baril’s stirring fellowship. They include Lou Allemano (baritone horn), Dick Switzer (clarinet), Michael McElroy (trumpet), Aiden McGarrigle (alto sax), Dale Rokosh (baritone horn), Don Hiron (flute), George Adams (tuba), Patricia Sturgess (percussion), Gerry Buccini (clarinet) and Moira McGarrigle (electric guitar).

Although a self-described ‘opera nut,’ Baril’s repertoire selection is far from one-dimensional, often combining Broadway musicals and classics with jazz and marches.

This time around he’s paired Franz Von SuppĂ© Light Cavalry Overture with a pop medley of Count Basie gold. And in almost the next breath, the band strikes up with Jesus Christ Superstar’s mega hit How to Love Him.

“Over the past 12 years, we touched every Broadway show from Music Man and South Pacific. We’ve never done Jesus Christ Superstar. It was time and the band loves to play it.”

In a salute to Canadian light classic composer Robert Farnon, Baril has tossed in Westminster Waltz, a gentle, shimmering waltz that does not demand too much from the listener.

“There’s a certain uniqueness in the repertoire and the quality of music goes without saying. Most musicians have played for years and their joy of playing still excites the audience.”