By Dave Babbitt – Special to the Sydenham Current
My last column likely left readers scratching their heads, as it seemed to end in the middle of a thought. I’m not sure how I did it, but in submitting my article to my Editor, the last portion of my article was missing for some reason.
At first, I thought that perhaps I had violated a policy of some kind and my article was edited, but in re-visiting my submission I realized that I hadn’t saved it properly, so please allow me to finish my thoughts.
One thing I loathe is talking about money in relation to our Wallaceburg Concert Band. We never want to be perceived as beggars, but anyone not associated with our group would have no ability to understand the operational costs of a group this large.
Since our inception in 2016, we have worked extremely hard in finding funds to build our band into the amazing organization it has become. We don’t simply sit with our hands out. We’ve fundraised in a variety of ways, made personal donations, sought grants, and welcome freewill donations at our concerts without ever asking our audiences for contributions.
However, our success is also our downfall. We have grown so large that our indoor concerts will forever be confined to the Webber Auditorium at WDSS. We are fortunate to be allowed to use the facility for a very nominal fee, but there is no getting around the fact that it is a gymnasium, not a concert hall.
The acoustics in the gym are not that of a concert hall. We must provide our own lighting, staging, video equipment, and we need to set up hundreds of chairs, then put them away when finished. We don’t complain, but many in our audiences do. Sitting on metal folding chairs on a flat surface or sitting on backless bleachers for a few hours is simply too difficult for many people, so they won’t attend.
A solution I thought of was presenting our concerts at the Chatham Capitol Theatre. After all, many from Wallaceburg contributed to its renovation.
A few years ago, I was lamenting to Mayor Canniff that our band would love to have an opportunity to play at the Capitol Theatre sometime, but that the rental costs are prohibitive for us as we do not wish to charge an admission fee. We simply want people to attend our concerts.
Mayor Canniff promptly offered to allow us the opportunity to present a Christmas concert once every other year at no cost. The Chatham Concert Band offers a Christmas concert every other year, so we were offered the opportunity to present our Christmas concert on the opposite years.
On December 11, 2022, we presented our first concert at the Capitol Theatre and what an incredible experience! Beautiful acoustics, a raked floor providing much improved sightlines over a flat gymnasium floor, house lighting, sound, and video capabilities, a skilled staff to assist us, and comfortable seating for our supporters enticed a huge crowd to come out and support us. And we actually could fit our entire band on the stage.
Patrons raved about the experience in attending our concert at the Capitol, and last year we had our second opportunity to do so. As a matter of interest, theatre staff told me that they had only ever had one other act that had more equipment than we did. That’s how much effort we put into our concerts.
I’m now constantly being asked, “Are you playing at the Capitol again this year?” This year we are not, and our ability to play there in the future is now in question. The offer to our band allowing us to use it once every other year at no cost has been rescinded. We are not sure at what level that decision was made nor who made it, but to be clear, it will be a huge risk for us to book the theatre at a cost of $3,000+ when we have no guaranteed income.
To be absolutely clear, I make no suggestion that the cost of rental nor the services and amenities provided do not reflect value. We simply cannot afford the fee.
We are fortunate to attract large crowds, but we rarely take in donations that will allow us to afford that cost going forward. So we’re going to do what we always do, and get creative.
The best “seat in the house” for all our concerts is without doubt the conductor’s podium, as it is the focal point for the immense sound of our band. For those who’ve never played in a band at Christmastime, there is ALWAYS great debate over whether to play Leroy Anderson’s classic “Sleigh Ride”… or not? Audiences ALWAYS love it, while many musicians tire of it. “Not again?” many will sigh.
So, to help raise funds in offsetting the cost of renting the Capitol, at this year’s Christmas concert I am willing to relinquish my baton and control of this amazing band to the highest bidder, allowing them to conduct the always requested “Sleigh Ride.”
This opportunity will be a delight and guaranteed to be a highlight of someone’s Christmas season! We’re hoping that we can spur a competition between prospective bidders, but no bidders, no Sleigh Ride this year.
How bidders come up with funds is up to them. It could be via personal donation, or through soliciting sponsors to help raise funds for this unique—and powerful—opportunity.
At our concert on Saturday, Dec. 6, we’ll solicit bids for the opportunity to conduct “Sleigh Ride.” It’ll be a hoot, so get on board and be prepared to bid. No experience in conducting or musical knowledge is required. You’ll get a quick, free lesson. Mr. Bean knows the power of the baton, and you too can experience it!
