Updated As of January 10, 2026
CALL OUT FOR POTENTIAL MUSIC DIRECTOR
Interim/back-up position(s) for 2025-26 Season
Regular position for 2026-27 Season
Deadline for Expressions of Interest: January 26, 2026
We have found ourselves in the unexpected situation of having to backfill our Music Director position mid-season. We are looking for both Interim/back-up position(s) for 2025-26 Season and considering who will lead the band in the regular position for the 2026-27 Season.
We are a well organized and established Nanaimo institution (154 years and counting). We have a strong following in Nanaimo and enjoy audience numbers 500 to 600.
Our focus is on enjoyment and familiarity for our members and audience. We play a variety of music styles: marches, movie themes, classical transcriptions, and traditional band festival music. We generally play level 3.5-4.0 music.
The Band rehearses Monday nights in Nanaimo from September to July. The current annual concert schedule includes: Fall and Spring concerts at the Port Theatre; a Christmas concert; several outdoor summer concerts; and the Nanaimo Remembrance Day service.
We want someone on the podium that can inspire and challenge our members but always in a respectful way. Aside from our immediate needs we are also considering the future for succession planning. If now is not the time for you, do let us know of your aspirations for the future for our records.
Tracy Harvey
President, Nanaimo Concert Band Society
The Nanaimo Concert Band is run by the Nanaimo Concert Band Society.
The purposes of the society are:
- to provide the opportunity for citizens of Nanaimo and area to rehearse and perform concert band music under competent leadership, as the Nanaimo Concert Band; and
- to bring quality concert band music to the people of Nanaimo and surrounding communities through concerts, parades, and other musical endeavours.
The Band performs a minimum of two concerts per year and rehearses Monday nights in Nanaimo from September to July.
Current concert annual schedule includes Fall, Spring, and Christmas concerts, several outdoor summer concerts, and Remembrance Day service.
For full qualifications click on the document here:
NCBConductor_Statement of Qualifications 2026Jan7
for more information contact us at nanaimoconcertband@gmail.com
Send applications of interest to:
Music Director Selection Committee
Nanaimo Concert Band
P.O. Box 794
Nanaimo BC V9R 5M2
Or Email: nanaimoconcertband@gmail.com
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Nanaimo Concert Band is pleased to announce its 2025-26 Season!
Our Music Director Dr. John Churchley has lined up an exciting season of music for the Nanaimo Concert Band to perform in 2026-2026. Each concert has a theme to connect the musical selections of traditional band pieces, classical transcriptions, show tunes, movie themes, pop music, and marches.
“It was a dark and stormy night.” Fall Concert – Sunday November 2, 2025
2:30pm Port Theatre – Tickets: $25 (Student $15)
Our fall concert is on the same weekend as Hallowe’en, so we couldn’t help but choose some music that’s dark and mysterious. Whether it’s music from a spooky movie or musical, or music about dark rain clouds and storms, come prepared to be chilled, thrilled, and entertained. We might have a happy ending or two just to balance things out.
A Winter’s Journey Christmas Concert – Sunday December 7, 2025
2:30pm Beban Park Auditorium – FREE ENTRY – food/$ accepted for Salvation Army Food Drive
Travel with us, as we musically trace Santa’s journey from the North Pole and the more serious journey of the Christ child at Bethlehem. You’ll hear all of your traditional Christmas favourites with some musical twists and turns as we toboggan down the slopes of our journey.
Adventures in Space and at Sea Spring Concert – Sunday April 26, 2026
2:30pm Port Theatre – Tickets: $25 (Student $15)
Adventure is a combination of fear, anticipation, and excitement as explorers venture out into the great unknown. Nowhere has inspired great books, films, and music more than the uncharted ocean and the infinity of space. Our concert will provide a taste of this excitement with music from films like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Interstellar, as well as music inspired by space and the sea including Holst’s Planets.
Make ‘em Laugh! Summer Concert – Monday July 13, 2026
6:30pm Maffeo Sutton Park – FREE
Music and comedy go together like Laurel & Hardy and Wayne & Shuster. Music can make you laugh or it can accentuate the antics of the comedians that it accompanies. The Nanaimo Concert Band is going to make you smile this summer with some musical hilarity. You’ll hear your favourite TV comedy themes, music for circus clowns, and some musical humour from Spike Jone’s antics to Leroy Anderson’s typewriter.
June 21, 2025
NANAIMO CONCERT BAND ANNOUNCES
MUSIC DIRECTOR FOR 2025-2026 SEASON
After leading us through a successful 2024-2025 concert season, Nanaimo Concert Band is delighted to announce that Dr. John Churchley will be continuing the role of Director for the 2025-2026 Nanaimo Concert Band Season!
Some of what our audience members had to say:
“What a delightful selection of music! It lifted my spirit and made my heart happy. Excellent job every one.”
“Love the joy you give so many and always admire the dedication and talent of each member, including the Music Director. THANK YOU”
“The director/conductor did a wonderful job of introducing each piece and his sense of humour was appreciated.”
Assistant Conductor Dr. John Churchley will be taking on the role of Music Director for our upcoming 2024 Fall and Winter season. John has been a member of the Nanaimo Concert Band since 2022. He became the Assistant Conductor in September 2023 and has continued to play in the Percussion section.
At our 2024 Port Theatre Spring concert John directed the band in a well received medley from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, the Phantom of the Opera. John will once again be leading the band in a Classic Rock ‘N’ Roll medley arranged for band by John Higgins at our concert in the park July 15.
Like most members of the Nanaimo Concert Band, John began his concert band journey playing in high school (on trumpet). He continued his studies at the University of Victoria (UVic) to become a secondary school music teacher. While at UVic John studied advanced conducting with Dr. George Corwin. John holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education, and a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership. Before moving on to leadership positions, John ran a successful music program at Westsyde Secondary in Kamloops. In recognition of the program’s quality and innovation, John was awarded the City of Kamloops Arts Award and was recently inducted to the school’s Wall of Fame. He has conducted the Thompson Rivers University Chorus, the Kamloops Community Band, and several community choirs.
We have come to know John as a humble, talented, dedicated, and enthusiastic member of the Nanaimo Concert Band. John is passionate about the arts and the importance of arts education.
After finishing his formal career as Assistant Superintendent in the Kamloops/Thompson School District, John retired to Parksville. He enjoys golf, playing trumpet, and singing, as well as doing contract work supervising student teachers for UVic, and performing inspections of BC Offshore Schools for the Ministry of Education and Child Care.
John has an exciting program planned for our 2025-2026 Season and we can’t wait to share the details with you…stay tuned for more updates!
Tracy Harvey,
President, Nanaimo Concert Band Society
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