Aaron Kruger is a quadruple musical threat.
The Grade 11 Handsworth Secondary student actively plays the tuba, tenor saxophone, clarinet and piano as a form of self-expression.
“As something of a withdrawn extrovert, music was the best way for me to be me in front of people,” says Aaron.
The venerable West Vancouver Youth Band offers Aaron an outlet for his creativity – and gives him a leg up on his musical peers, he says.
“The music is far more challenging than high school ensemble works and acts as a fantastic intermediary between high school level music, and university level music,” explains Aaron, who plans to make a career out of music.
His brother, Calvin Kruger, a French horn player heading into his senior year at Handsworth, particularly enjoys the diverse repertoire offered by the West Vancouver Youth Band.
“The director of the WVYB is very driven to give the musicians exposure to the many different kinds of music playable in a symphonic band,” explains Calvin.
WVYB principal conductor and executive director Douglas Macaulay says they ensure students have an opportunity to play the widest possible variety of music, including classic works, newly commissioned music, jazz standards and great film scores.
“We have also commissioned and performed the world premiere of dozens of original works,” says Macaulay.
Instruments aren’t necessarily playing second fiddle to gaming consoles or other activities these days, explains Macaulay.
“The WVYB continues to grow and expand as do the many excellent school music programs,” says Macaulay. “It is, however more difficult to hold the attention of young people. Not only are their minds attuned to the fast pace of gaming and social media, they also have precious little free time. Simply put, this generation has become an aggressive consumer of their educational product and they know whether something is worth their time and energy.”
Macaulay says a music program has to be strong to maintain students’ ongoing attention. He and the other youth band teachers strive to create an “electric” atmosphere.
“Whether it’s our beginner band learning their first notes, or our symphonic band starting work on a new work written for them, it is exciting, challenging and a lot of fun,” says Macaulay. “Generally, our rehearsals have lots of chatter at the start, hard work throughout – interrupted by laughter and smiles at the end.”
The WVYB is a non-auditioned community youth music program with four band and three strings levels. No experience is necessary for beginner band and only a little experience is required for the debut strings program.
“We begin with an instrument petting zoo where I take out a range of our considerable collection of instruments to demonstrate for them and allow them to see, try, and ask questions until they find the instrument that is right for them,” explains Macaulay. “This can take one or two weeks – it’s a big decision!”
The young musicians meet twice a week in the WVYB’s home in the community music hall at West Vancouver Community Centre.
The environment, says Aaron, pays homage to the almost 90-year history of the band, from the colours of the noise-cancelling foam on the front wall to the style of the symphonic band marching uniform.
“The WVYB has always been a symbol in the community with a high standard for music, and each year, Doug raises the bar with his unparalleled enthusiasm and leadership, and I hope the WVYB goes at least another 90 years,” says Aaron.
Every year, the WVYB plays at two or three concert venues in addition to the West Vancouver Remembrance Day ceremony, Community Day, and Canada Day.
The band also either goes to a music festival, usually the Con Brio Whistler festival, or a tour of Europe for a couple weeks during the summer break.
Macaulay’s goal is to create concerts that the musicians will remember for the rest of their lives.
“After 25 years, I have yet to repeat a major concert premise,” says Macaulay. “Each year, as musicians graduate and new ones join, the ensemble changes. That unique ensemble deserves concerts, music and ideas that are tailored to what is unique about that year’s group.”
Macaulay admits to teetering on the edge a bit when he began with WVYB 25 years ago.
“At that time, the North Van Youth Band, which closed down a few years ago, was ‘the good band’ and we had some rebuilding to do to catch up,” says Macaulay.
“We’re on quite a solid footing now and besides being the last of B.C.’s original youth band programs, we are the longest standing community youth band in Canada.”
