Updated As of Sept 7, 2024
NCB ANNOUNCES NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR FOR 2024
We are delighted to announce that Dr. John Churchley
will be taking on the role of Music Director for the duration of 2024.
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 upcoming Afternoon Fall Concert at the Port Theatre November 3, 2024, and we can’t wait to share the details with you…stay tuned for more updates!
Tracy Harvey,
President, Nanaimo Concert Band Society
July 5, 2024
Update on Marc Hayes – Music Director 2023-2024
On Monday, July 15, 2024, Marc conducted his last concert as Music Director with the Nanaimo Concert Band.
Saying goodbye was hard but heartfelt congratulations were in order as Marc was successful in his audition to join the Music Branch of the Canadian Forces. Marc was to head off for basic training before receiving his first posting.
However, due to an unfortunate accident, Marc broke his wrist and his deployment has been delayed – so you may actually see him on the stage this Fall performing as a musician with the band!
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