Prairie Brass Band Festival
Saskatoon Brass Band
2001-2010 & Continuing
Celebrating Saskatchewan with the magnificent sound of brass
The Prairie Brass Band Festival originated in Saskatoon in 2001 when members of the Saskatoon Brass Band were searching for a forum to give brass bands in the Prairie Provinces a chance to meet and make music together. Since that beginning, the festival has visited Winnipeg, Regina and Edmonton.
Typically, the Festival welcomes five brass bands:
- Rupertsland Brass Band from Winnipeg
- Queen City Brass Band from Regina
- Mill Creek Colliery Brass Band from Edmonton
- Saskatoon Temple Salvation Army Band
- Saskatoon Brass Band
This two day event culminates in a performance of the participating bands and a combined massed band involving all players. The combined band performance is a unique treat for local music lovers. It puts over 100 brass players on the same stage for a magnificent performance of music either composed specifically for brass band or that has been arranged for the brass band.
Saskatchewan has a proud history of brass bands and this is our way of celebrating this aspect of Saskatchewan’s cultural heritage.
Festival Information:
2010 - Saskatoon SK | April 23 & 24 2010 - Click for More Information2007 - Regina SK | April 27 & 28 2007
2006 - Winnipeg MB | April 28 & 19 2006
2005 - Saskatoon SK | April 29 & 30 2005 - Click for Details | Click to Compress
2005 at Saskatoon - April 29 & 30
The 5th Annual Prairie Brass Band Festival was sponsored by the Saskatoon Brass Band and held at Third Avenue United Church on April 29th and 30th, 2005.Two features in particular were of special interest to a Saskatoon audience. The Saskatoon Brass Band commissioned Dr. David Kaplan, an icon in the music scene in Saskatoon, to compose a signature piece for brass band for an inaugural performance by the combined band. In addition to conducting this performance of the piece, Dr. Kaplan also agreed to serve as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
Capping off the evening was a stirring performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. The impressive sound of over 100 brass and percussion players performing this classic and popular tribute to Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s armies had never before been heard in Saskatoon.
Guest conductor for the combined band was Bob Gibson. Bob came to Canada from England in 1965 with an impressive resume as a trombonist, choralier, and band director. He has been a fixture on the music scene in Prince Albert, serving as Director of many school bands, the Prince Albert Lions Band, and numerous choral groups. He presently conducts the Prince Albert Community Band and the Prince Albert Men’s Chorus. We were delighted to have Bob serve as guest conductor for the 2005 festival.
View the 2005 PBBF Poster
2004 - Edmonton AB | May 7 & 8 2004
2003 - Regina SK | May 2 & 3 2003
2002 - Winnipeg MB | May 3 & 4 2002
2001 - Saskatoon SK | May 11 & 12 2001