Resa's Pieces Concert Band

Scott Davis

I discovered two interests in Grade 4 in the Toronto public school system – playing with computers and playing the Tuba.  I pursued a Bachelor of Music playing the Tuba – took the performance spot at University of Toronto but never completed the degree.  I think I got the two interests backwards – I like working with computers and should have kept music as a hobby. 

After not playing for 15 years, I’m reversing the order – working with computers and pursuing performing a low brass instrument (Bass Trombone) as a hobby.  The bass trombone’s great fun – I can play almost as low as commonly written Tuba parts but have more access to melody parts. 

Resa’s Pieces is a delight to play with – a skilled conductor willing to lead a group of dedicated, fun players.

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.

Mary Bleier

I didn't fall in love with the trombone at first in Grade 7 at  Wilson Hts Public School, but by Grade 12  at Sir Sandford Fleming, I played 1st and loved all the Kiwanis Awards that we had won.  Later on as a High School teacher at Weston Collegiate, I got to play in the pit band for the following shows:  "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", "Anything Goes" and "Oliver".  It revitalized my love for playing.  Then came family commitments and the mothering role to two wonderful children, so I had little time to play an instrument, but I encouraged my children to love music as I had.  In grade 7, my son, Aaron decided to play trombone and we bought one for him.  By grade 11, he had dropped the playing, to concentrate on academics but  I took it up once again.  Hearing Resa's Pieces one time as my husband and I strolled through the JCC caught our attention and my husband solicited my talents and that was 4 years ago. So here I still am. I love the opportunity to share music and fun times as well.  BRAVO to Resa Kochberg and our fellow members for their talent and devotion.