THUNDER BAY — A band with a storied history in Thunder Bay not only is still entertaining audiences after more than 70 years, but is also making valued contributions to the music department at Lakehead University.
The Roy Coran Big Band continues to fund a bursary for music students that was established by the family of its founder after his death in 2013.
This year, the band decided to do something different – replace 18 aging music stands.
"We have financially contributed to the bursary every year from profits from our concerts," said Ted Vaillant, artistic director for the band. "It goes into a big fund, and maybe one student gets the benefit of it, once a year. We rehearse [at Lakehead] on Sunday nights, and we noticed that the music stands were in really bad shape. So we decided, rather than giving a cash donation this year, why don't we buy the music stands?"
Joe Riccio of Music World Academy, the ticket outlet for the Roy Coran Big Band, facilitated the purchase.
The contribution is much appreciated, according to Evgeny Chugunov, chair of the music department.
"This is a great gift. Some of our music stands were in very old condition, and not very reliable for concert performances. This is great because our department hosts many community events and bands playing with choirs. It's really helpful."
When music stands were officially handed over last week, "the students were extremely happy," Vaillant said.
He commented that the close relationship between the band and the music department also benefits the band.
"I was actually an LU music student a long time ago. We have a number of students that have come to the band on and off. It's a small community, right? So when we're there Sunday night rehearsing, if the students are around they're listening to us, and there's a connection between the two. They often come to our concerts."
At the presentation of the music stands, Vaillant made sure to extend an invitation to the students to attend the band's upcoming concerts, including the Dec. 15th Christmas show at the Italian Cultural Centre.
"We're proud to be part of the musical community of Thunder Bay. Our band is achieving a degree of success that we sometimes find amazing, given the [recent] pandemic. We're getting audiences of close to 500 at our shows now."
Vaillant said the band will perform a country and western-themed show in the New Year, and put on a disco-themed concert later on.
"We're trying to make younger people interested in big band. We always say 'we're not your grandma's big band.' We're trying to be an ensemble in the city that plays contemporary music for people."
