ABOUT two minutes into Michael Buble's video for "Just Haven't Met You Yet," a line of familiar blue uniform appears.
As the popular Canadian singer marches down a grocery store aisle, mace in hand, he is flanked by members of the West Vancouver Youth Band horn section, with trumpets, sax and other wind instruments bobbing wildly to the music.
No doubt a unique experience for the young musicians, it's not their only appearance with big-name Canadian talent. In recent years, the band has performed with Dal Richards, Colin James and The Sojourners gospel group.
It's one of program director Douglas Macaulay's goals for the group.
"I work very hard to create opportunities for them that are unique to this ensemble," he explains.
The youth band, one of the only remaining full-uniformed marching bands in the province, has been in existence in various forms on the North Shore since 1931, and currently boasts just under 200 members in four levels: beginner, junior, concert and symphonic, with a new string ensemble. It is one of the longest standing community youth bands in Canada.
"This is the 20th year of my three-year contract," says Macaulay with a laugh. "I love it. It's so much fun and I look forward to seeing the kids every week; and I love watching them grow up and seeing who they become and seeing them succeed, and it's a real treat. And kids and music, I mean, who could have a bad day if your life revolves around kids and music?"
Macaulay contributes the band's staying power to a dedicated group of parent volunteers, and a consistency of vision. "A lot of it also is just maintaining relevance. Kids are so busy now. They have precious little free time, and you have to give them a very good reason to give it up," he adds.
Macaulay says the band offers its young members the chance to connect with history and something larger than themselves. It's a message not lost on 19-year-old Jamie Hicks, a saxophone player, who has been with the group since he was 15.
"It's a pretty amazing feeling to be part of something bigger than yourself," says Hicks. "I like the connection between all the people, making friends that obviously like music and have a lot of the same interests as you, and having the chance to play a variety of different styles of music."
Hicks is now in the Jazz Studies program at Capilano university, and says Macaulay was instrumental in helping him get in to the program by rehearsing his audition pieces with him.
The West Vancouver Youth Band is non-auditioning, and accepts young musicians of all abilities from ages nine to 19.
Macaulay says excluding potential members would be contrary to the philosophy of a community band. "And it would also break my heart to tell a child they're not good enough because who knows? They're just kids. They can do anything," he says, noting auditioning is necessary for some programs, but not theirs. "Some kids are really top-notch musicians, that's terrific. Some kids struggle with the music but they're a wonderful part of the social fabric of the organization. Everybody brings something to it."
Since January, the symphonic band has been working with renowned composer Robert Buckley for a special concert featuring a retrospective of Buckley's body of work, including a piece he wrote when he was 15, as well as his latest piece, a three-movement work that will be published in the summer. It is yet another unique opportunity for the band of young musicians.
"I told them in the fall when I was first getting them prepared for the concept of this concert, I said: 'I can promise you that there is not another group of people, young musicians your age, anywhere in this country who are going to perform a concert of one composer's entire catalogue with the composer's involvement and premiere a brand new work of his as well," notes Macaulay.
He says he is "floored" by how hard the group has been working to prepare for this concert. "They really understand the idea that they have a responsibility to the music, they have a responsibility to each other, and now the responsibility also extends directly to the composer," he says.
Hicks says he is inspired by Buckley's work. "It's really fantastic," he says of the music. "Every piece is different, so it's a different feel and it's just great to see how Bob creates so many different pieces that are really contrasting when you put them all side by side and see what's going on."
Hicks says the upcoming concert will be a special event. "The music is just incredible, and to not see something like this with a bunch of special guests from around Vancouver and guest conductors, it's something you don't want to miss."
The Music of Robert Buckley concert is on May 2, 7: 30 p.m., at Centennial Theatre. Tickets available at the box office. For more information visit the website www.centennialtheatre.com.
