Frequenty Asked Questions

“Music For Life” is truly the vision that drives everything that the SWCB members have accomplished for over 30 years. 

From its fledgling infancy in 1993 (as an adult beginner band) to the present day, SWCB continues to grow. We currently average over 50 members who bring a diverse spectrum of abilities and talents to our group. 

And today, we are so pleased to be able to perform many levels of music and even some more challenging pieces reserved for mature and seasoned ensembles.
Second Wind Community Band

The SWCB supports many local charities and organizations through our concerts. Some of these have included L’Arche Cape Breton and Feed Nova Scotia. 

We currently donate a portion of our concert earnings to Every Woman’s Centre in Sydney, and to the Music Therapy Program of Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County.

SWCB loves to play many genres of music. We perform concert band standards and marches, overtures, suites, hymn tunes, seasonal pieces, show tunes, popular music, big band arrangements, jazz, ballads and music from different cultures. And of course, a touch of Celtic whenever possible. 

Our repertoire often contains Canadian content and may also feature composers/arrangers from Nova Scotia and Canada.

We support an array of community musicians and artists, all of whom bring a special touch to our many concerts. 

Our guests have included local area MC’s, musicians, singers and small ensembles. Guest conductors and other notable talents from our community have also performed with SWCB.

SWCB meets about 10 months of the year. We have a summer break starting in late June to early September, and a Christmas/New Years break.  

We rehearse every Wednesday evening and perform three to four concerts a season. We also call a couple of additional rehearsals as needed before a concert.

Many members will take additional time to practice at home to hone their technique and to master challenging passages in their repertoire. 

SWCB rehearsals are held at the Victoria Park Armouries, which are located at 5 Garrison Road off of Ortona Drive in Sydney. We also hold dress rehearsals at the concert venues the day before our concert.

Rehearsals start at 6:15 (personal warm-up) and 6:30 (downbeat) and end at 8:45 pm. Additional rehearsals and dress rehearsals are announced as needed.

Our band supports a variety of instruments.

• Woodwinds – flute/piccolo, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, and alto/tenor/baritone saxophone
• Brass – trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium/baritone and tuba. 
• Percussion – includes all of the percussion instruments including mallets and timpani.
• Upright string bass – Stand-up (acoustic) string bass is traditional in concert bands.

Past or current high school level or above with ensemble experience is suggested. Band members should be able to read music comfortably, and have knowledge of intermediate rhythms and key signatures. Instrument technique should include proper embouchure, tone quality, articulation (tonguing and slurring), flexibility and a knowledge of fingerings through low, middle and upper ranges. 

High school aged students are invited to join with a recommendation from their school band teacher. 

Yes! Many adults have been away from their instrument for years, but they still have the experience and knowledge needed to enjoy playing in the band. 

• Some will dust off their old method books, refresh their skills and strengthen their embouchures with home practice. 
• Others will opt for some private music lessons to help hone their skills. Music educators and private instructors are available in the area.

If you are unsure how to proceed, please contact one of the members of the Artistic Team for a consultation.

As of 2024, there is no beginner level ensemble with SWCB. 

However, SWCB does host a one-weekend band festival every October, where anyone with previous band experience can ease back into playing. The Cape Breton Community BandFest is open to any musician and offers two levels of performance ensembles. Novice players with more that 1 to 2 years playing experience may choose to play in the refresher level MacKay Band. Others may opt to play in the more advanced level DesBarres Band.  

• Wind Instruments should be in good working condition. 
• Supplies such as reeds, oil, grease and creams should be in your toolkit.
• Percussion players should have their own personal set of sticks and mallets. Many bring their own stick bag to rehearsals and have some practice drums and/or mallets at home.   
• Music stand that would be suitable for concerts. The stand should be solid black and may be a folding type. 

Music is provided electronically so members can either print the pieces and place in a binder, or use an electronic device.

There are many options available to secure an instrument. You may purchase new or used, or borrow an instrument from family or a friend. An affordable rental program, available through Long & McQuade (local music store), offers financial flexibility. SWCB does not provide wind instruments. 

If you are unsure of the condition of your instrument, we recommend taking to a repair professional for assessment. Contact us if you have any questions.

Yearly membership fees are $150 for adults and $75 for college/university students. There is no charge for high school students to join.

The cost of an Instrument, music stand, and supplies are the responsibility of each band member. Members are also responsible for printing music if needed.

You are invited to come to visit us during a rehearsal where you can hear our band and speak with band members. 

Step 1 – You may either speak directly with or email any member of the Artistic team. 

Step 2 – After contacting and getting a go-ahead from an Artistic Team member, you will be directed to our registrar, Roberta Williams, where you can join the band.

Members who are registered and have paid their membership fee (if any) will then be given access to the Members Only Portal on our webpage, where information and sheet music will be made available. 

Our band is a volunteer group who all work together to celebrate all the benefits and wonder that music brings to its members, its audience and its community. Not only are our performers and conductors volunteering their time, but we have a host of supporters who contribute their efforts for the success of SWCB.

• Audience members
• Special Guests and speakers
• Band members
• Section Leaders within the band
• Movers and Shakers (moving equipment)
• Social Committee Members 
• Artistic Leadership Team
• Board of Directors
• Sponsors/Donors

You can start by contacting any member of the artistic team. They should be able to answer your question or direct you to someone who can help you.

Conductor – Laura Mercer 
Co-Conductor & Low Brass Specialist – Margaret Miles 
Woodwind Specialist – Bruce MacKinlay
Percussion Specialist – Michele Xidos