Resa's Pieces Concert Band

Bill Getty

A long time ago, longer than I care to remember, I played clarinet in a small-town marching band for a period of three to four years. Our high-school had no music program so any interest in continuing to play quickly waned and gave way to other pursuits which were, for the most part, reasonably honorable.

But I never lost interest in listening to and exploring all types of music: classical, jazz, rock, folk, pop as well as various international forms such as flamenco, fado and tango. After all, music feeds the soul, comforts the mind and occasionally mends the heart regardless of where in the world you are.

After thirty-seven years I recently retired from the world of education; first as a classroom teacher and then as a member of the negotiations staff for the provincial elementary teachers’ union. Upon retirement a good friend and colleague gave me a clarinet that once belonged to her father and I knew immediately what my retirement hobby was going to be. My goal then was modest: to be able to play simple children’s music to entertain my toddler granddaughter.

I quickly began taking private lessons and realized that even after almost fifty years some things were still familiar but much was to be learned. After a year of lessons my terrific teacher, Michele Jacot (who coincidentally plays in the Toronto Megacity Swing Band with our very own Sydney Gangbar) told me it was time to learn to play with ensembles. And given that Michele is fondly referred to by her adult students as ‘she who must be obeyed’, I decided to cast around for concert bands that were looking for musicians without a whole lot of experience. Since September 2008 I’ve been playing with two bands, the Music Society of St. Helen’s and the Swansea Community Concert Band. By December 2008 I was seeking an additional challenge and decided to contact Resa’s Pieces.

Resa contacted me immediately. She was enthusiastic, encouraging and positive and from our communication it was obvious that she is strongly committed to getting adults back to their musical roots while ensuring that we have fun doing it. As one of the band’s newest members I’ve found that the spirit and enthusiasm of the group makes everybody want to play at an amazing level. My teacher Michele was right; one of the best ways to learn and to improve is to play with others who also love music.

And one thing is clear: at Resa’s Pieces the music is sweet and all the parts fit!

Gail Yollick

My initiation into the band experience was strictly under predjudice. Our Dufferin Heights Junior High music head each student with a listening test, recruiting those “lucky enough” who “passed”, of which I was one, into a band class.  Seeing no way out, we accepted our fate and wondered what was to come.  My assigned instrument - the clarinet - frequently sputtered out weird sounds.   That was grade 7.  By grade 8 were all proud to be “the school band”,  growing attached as much to our music sheets as to each other and hooked on sound .

Fast forward many decades later when 2 friends invite me to join Resa’s Pieces Concert Band.   Reluctant at first, but later re-discovering  with everyone  the old standards: “swing”, Broadway, classical. The bonus comes while you play, practicing and performing music as a sweet joyful experience, and blending rhythms with everyone to create harmony.  Resa keeps us together. 

Maja Buium

I used to pass the Jerualem Room at the Bathurst JCC each Monday and listen to Resa's Pieces practice. I dreamed for the time in my life that I could do something for myself again, and I knew that this band played at a level that was appropriate for my skill level. Finally my chance came, and I joined up. What I like most about the band (besides being a part of beautiful music) is that it is the one time in my week when I can sit back and let someone else do the thinking. It is the first time since... well, long ago, that I just sit there and do what I am told- what a high that is. This is a band that has come a long way in the short time that I have been a part of it. And we still know how to have a good time!

Jerry Tennen

I have always enjoyed listening to and playing music. I began my tuba career in grade 9 and played tuba through high school in the band and orchestra. Fifteen years later my high school orchestra had a reunion and played at the school's music night. It was so much fun, that the old band members decided to get together again. We never got together again. That was 30 years ago.

I found out about Resa's Pieces through a neighbour and am now in my second year in the band. The entire concept of making music continues, for me, to be a stimulating, rewarding and enjoyable experience. I hope it continues for many years to come, only in part to help defray the cost of having bought a tuba.

Bernadette King

The very first time I “played” music was when I was three. My mother equipped me with a metal pot and a wooden spoon. I would march about the house to Rossini’s William Tell Overture to my little heart’s content. I’d like to think that my musical abilities have improved since then.

Years later, I picked up the flute in elementary school and kept playing it throughout high school as my principal instrument. I also picked up a few other instruments on an experimental basis, including the tympani, the trombone, and the bassoon. In high school I played in the band and also organized many of my own ensembles with other students who were interested. After high school I played for a year in another community band, but discontinued with that group because of scheduling conflicts.

I found Resa’s Pieces on the web in September of this past year and emailed them, excited about the prospect of getting back into music. I decided to pick up the trombone for something a little different. I am really happy about finding this band and playing with this very talented and easy-going group of people.