At the Britannia Community Centre on Commercial Avenue in Vancouver, a musical team has been bringing endless musical joy to local residents for a decade. The community music program, called the Carnival Band, is led by musical directors Ross Barrett and Tim Sars. The Carnival Band brings together a wide range of musical talents in a variety of performances covering all instrumental genres, including brass, woodwinds, drums, percussion, accordion and voice. They also incorporate bass, guitar, violin, banjo, piano and keyboards into their stage performances, showcasing a variety of musical styles and expressions.
One of the Carnival Band’s favorite tunes is the members’ original compositions, and in addition to that, they play a variety of musical styles such as samba, calypso, swing, Afrobeat, jazz, funk, disco, and more, immersing the audience in a sea of music. This is unlike many other bands; they are competent in any style and versatile in general.
Going back to the history of the group, in 1999, musicians Ross Barrett and Dan Vee organized the first workshop of the “Carnival Band”. Soon after, they invited musician Marcos X to join the group as percussionist and co-music director. The workshops grew in popularity and became a regular weekly event at the Britannia Community Center.
As time went on, the band’s activities became more varied, and in 2002, Dan V. raised federal funds to bring in composer Gregg Moore for a three-week music and performance workshop, and in 2006, Dan V. had to take a break from his work as a father, and handed over management responsibilities to the entire group. Marcos X took over as Managing Director, while longtime guitarist Devon 8 handled the booking and promotion of the band.
Juggling several jobs was the norm at the time, but the group members didn’t let it discourage them or give up.
The Carnival Band is a heartwarming story of a band that has experienced challenges along the way, but has always maintained their love of music and dedication to their community. Membership changes and team building are issues that any band will face, but it is their tenacity and unity that keeps the band growing and moving forward. Their story tells us that as long as you have a dream in your heart and a love for music, you can overcome all difficulties and achieve your goals. I sincerely admire them for their perseverance and hard work, and look forward to more brilliant performances in the future, bringing more musical charm and cultural exchanges to the community.
Today the Carnival Band has become one of the highlights of the Britannia Community Center, and their music has brought endless joy and wonderful memories to local residents. In the days to come, they will continue to use the power of music to bring more cultural exchange and artistic enjoyment to the community.