WATERLOO – Wilfrid Laurier University will welcome the Central Band of the Canadian Forces (CBCF) to perform at the Music is for Life Symposium, May 4 to 8 at Laurier’s Waterloo campus. 

The five-day symposium is an opportunity for novice and experienced musicians alike to come together to share their talent, experiences and enthusiasm for band music. 

“The positive energy from last year’s symposium created momentum for a follow-up event with an even larger enrolment,” said Lee Willingham, associate professor and director of the Laurier Centre for Music in the Community. “This is truly a unique intergenerational experience that includes teenagers right up to octogenarians sharing a common passion for playing wind band music.” 

Participants can register in three streams: New Horizons, composite community band, or high school students. 

Under the New Horizons stream, participation follows the philosophy of the New Horizons movement, which encourages beginners as well as those re-entering the music world after many years to try group music-making in a comfortable, non-intimidating environment. Participants will receive instruction, attend clinics with the CBCF, and enjoy wind ensemble concerts. 

Those selecting the composite community band stream will join together with musicians from community bands in the Waterloo region to create a composite band. Participants will rehearse and perform a concert with the CBCF, the Wellington Winds and Brassroots under the direction of Major Brian Greenwood and Robert Herriot. A public concert will be held Saturday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Laurier’s Theatre Auditorium. 

Select high school students will participate in sectionals with CBCF members and rehearse and perform in a concert with CBCF on Friday, May 7 at 7:30 in Laurier’s Theatre Auditorium. 

Concert tickets are $10 (cash only) and available at the door. For complete program details and to register, please visit www.wlu.ca/musicisforlife.