Fun raising instru Community support keeps North Vancouver Youth Band on parade and party alert A Grade 11 student at Carson Graham secondary school, Jason, 17, is .interested in sports and hopes to make a career in the film industry. LED BY. music director Robert Gordy and band- master Ron Smith, the North. Vancouver Youth Band (NV*'B) is having another exciting year. There have been many memo- rable years since 1939 and they’re still. marching stronger than ever here in Vancouver and around the ~ world, _ ; The band is supported with help from parents, volunteers, and dedicated individuals like. Smith, who recently won a medal as one ‘of the Outstanding People in North Vancouver’ for being a devoted leader of the band since he took over the reins in the ‘50s. The youth. band is run and or- ganized by parents and volunteers. -They arrange everything from concerts and marching-band parades to trips and even fund- ‘raising activities involving the band members. . The ‘band taises money through “fun’-raising (and 1 do mean SERIA ae STUDENTS ARE now making decisions that affect the rest of their lives — univer- sity, college, work. etc. —- and there are more students than the post-secondary schools can handle. What do you plan to’ do with your future? What if you can’t get into university or college? NEWS photo Paul McGrath BLOWING THEIR own horns, these trumpet players sound off at a recent North Vancouver Youth Band practice at Highlands community school. fun!) activities such as raffles and car washes, with money going toward the cost of the band’s trips and social activities. I hope you will get your car washed next time you see them. Maybe at the same time, you can persuade the band members to play a song for you. The band is organized for ail levels of abilities, from beginners and juniors to intermediates and seniors. The beginners, who are as young as eight years old, par- ticipate in parades and concerts such as the Lynn Valley Days and West Vancouver Community YOU MAKE NEW FRIENDS... NOTHING LIKE LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL! YOU GET LOTS OF EXERCISE... THE THRILL OF COMPETITION... A GREAT WAY TO IMPRESS Days, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 29 and Saturday, - June 5 respectively. All beginners get to pick what instrument they want if they don’t play one already. For those who are versatile, they can also learn to play a variety of instruments. ‘Wait a minute! What if you never played an instrument in your life?. What if you just want to have fun, party with members, march with a band and learn how to play an instrument? Well, for those of you who want to do all this and more, the YOu'RE MAKING AN IMPRESSION, ALL RIGHT... BABES ! WITTY, GOPHISTICATED, D N92 Ute Festa Srteraie tne NVYB will be glad to teach you. For the learning experience, juniors and intermediates can look forward to such highlights as a Spring Band Camp and/or a short summer tour over the Canada Day holiday weekend. They will also be participating in numerous local parades. Then there’s the senior band! The senior band involves youths up to 2] years of age, and they probably have the most fun. Why the most fun? Besides get- ting to travel and coming close to chieving personal and musical excellence, they also get to share their leadership and develop friendships. ' The senior members have been known to participate in a lot of community activities on the North Shore. Their attendance is always requested for parades like the Pacific National Exhibition, the Grey Cup, and the Vancouver Sea Festival. ul to youth They’ve been known to perform for all manner of dignitaries — from local mayors to the Queen! They have also appeared on such TV programs as Wiseguy, The Love Boat, and Northwood. Wow! Just think, that’s not the best part. They perform so well, they . have toured to the following places: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Japan, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy. They have toured most Canadian cities — Calgary,.Edmonton, Montreal and Toronto, just to name a few, One thing I like about the NVYB is their constitution, which reads in part: ‘To provide musical instruction to the student members of the society, and to provide them with the opportunity of partaking in musical festivals, band concerts, competitions, parades; and similar activities, both in Canada and abroad.’" I've been told. by several Members that they follow this statement to the letter. They also participate in exciting group activ- ities like barbecues, pop and pizza nights, parties, and much more. To have this opportunity of a lifetime (and you will be guaran- teed friends forever!) just write or call: the North Vancouver Youth Band, P.O. Box 54030, Lonsdale West Post Office, North Van- couver, B.C. V7H 3L5. Contact them through Ron Smith at 929- 3637, Don Craik at 929-3637, or Bohumila Divis at 980-1934. Photo submitted NORTH VANCOUVER Youth Band participants have travelled the globe. This performance in Vienna, Austria was part of last yeai’s touring schedule.