"The Nanaimo Concert Band, known as the oldest
continuous community band in Canada, was established in 1872. Today,
in 2010, under the leaderships of Captain John Forbes (ret.) and François
Bouchard, the band has over 55 members, representing a wide range of
ages and walks of life.
The band is recognized in the musical community as one of the finest such groups in the country. The Nanaimo Concert Band has won numerous awards over the years, has been admired by other community bands with which it has shared musical appearances, and
has attracted some of the most experienced music directors in the country. In 1997 the band was honoured by receiving a Nanaimo cultural award presented by the City of Nanaimo for contributing to the promotion of musical excellence. The band has played for the Empire Days celebration throughout Nanaimo's history, has played for the opening of major pubic buildings, Royal visits, of course Bathtub Race celebration performances and every Rememberance Day ceremony since World War One, without fail. A few of the band members were even in a movie filmed in Nanaimo, British Columbia.
The band continues to participate in community events, and delights Nanaimo and surrounding areas on Vancouver Island with the timeless sounds of concert band music."