Strike Up The Band!
Royal City Concert Band is a band of enthusiastic and motivated amateur musicians, established in 1987. Under the baton of musical director Kris Covlin, we play an eclectic and ambitious blend of world class compositions, drawn from the best arrangements in the worlds of Pop & Rock, Jazz & Big-Band, Broadway Classics, Movies & Television, Contemporary & Traditional Band music, Classical Arrangements for wind, Canadian Folk & Contemporary and last, but certainly not least, some of the Best Marches Ever Written.
The band rehearses weekly out of New Westminster Secondary, and plays as many shows as possible throughout the year. Check out our performance calendar and come to an RCCB show for Live, Local & World Class large band music!
The band rehearses weekly out of New Westminster Secondary, and plays as many shows as possible throughout the year. Check out our performance calendar and come to an RCCB show for Live, Local & World Class large band music!
RCCB MUSIC DIRECTOR | KRIS COVLIN
Kris Covlin is a professional saxophonist based in Vancouver. As the director of several ensembles in BC, Kris brings new music, artists and compositions to the west coast.
Kris completed his Bachelor of Music at the University of Alberta under Dr. William Street, who broadened his exposure to new music, introducing Kris to many new composers and renowned French saxophonist Jean-Michel Goury. Kris then pursued his training in Paris, at the CNR Boulogne-Billancourt, completing study at Bowling Green State University. Kris was awarded a Master’s Degree in Music under Dr. John Sampen.
From 1998-2005, Kris was a member of the Ceremonial Guard Band in Ottawa. After auditioning for the music branch of the Canadian Forces, Kris served in the Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific, 2007-2010.
Kris recently completed several seasons as the musical director of the Milleraires Big Band. He is looking forward to his 9th season as musical director of the Royal City Concert Band. (see Kris' full bio at kriscovlin.com)
Kris completed his Bachelor of Music at the University of Alberta under Dr. William Street, who broadened his exposure to new music, introducing Kris to many new composers and renowned French saxophonist Jean-Michel Goury. Kris then pursued his training in Paris, at the CNR Boulogne-Billancourt, completing study at Bowling Green State University. Kris was awarded a Master’s Degree in Music under Dr. John Sampen.
From 1998-2005, Kris was a member of the Ceremonial Guard Band in Ottawa. After auditioning for the music branch of the Canadian Forces, Kris served in the Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific, 2007-2010.
Kris recently completed several seasons as the musical director of the Milleraires Big Band. He is looking forward to his 9th season as musical director of the Royal City Concert Band. (see Kris' full bio at kriscovlin.com)
RCCB REPERTOIRE
The Royal City Concert Band music library has hundreds of titles collected over the years. And to stay current we add new titles every season, with money raised by the band's performances and members' dues.
The librarie's titles span all genres of music and contains some of the very best arrangements of the world's most popular pieces of music, spanning decades, if not centuries!
The band loves a challenge, whether playing precision classical numbers, or trying to get 40 players tight enough to mambo, or swing like it was 1940, or jazz up some holiday standards, or gear up for a classic march!
RCCB plays a varied mix of all of the above every season, with familiar and unusual selections from all corners of the music world.
The librarie's titles span all genres of music and contains some of the very best arrangements of the world's most popular pieces of music, spanning decades, if not centuries!
The band loves a challenge, whether playing precision classical numbers, or trying to get 40 players tight enough to mambo, or swing like it was 1940, or jazz up some holiday standards, or gear up for a classic march!
RCCB plays a varied mix of all of the above every season, with familiar and unusual selections from all corners of the music world.
JOIN THE BAND
The RCCB is always looking for new members. We currently do not hold auditions, but this is not a beginner band. If you are over 19, were a 'band nerd' in high school or about to finish college/university and want to continue playing and improving, the RCCB might be the band for you.
Our music is varied, challenging, fun and serious. We play pieces that audiences love, but also that the players especially love to play. As in any community band there is always a special need for lower brass/winds and percussion.
For the 2024 season we are actively looking for bassoon, tuba, lower brass and percussion (mallet) players to balance out our sound. Please contact the RCCB if you are a player looking for a great band!
If you want to keep playing, or it has been a while and you've been thinking about 'getting back into it' we encourage you to check out one of our upcoming performances or 'listen in' in person at one of our rehearsals. If you think you might be a good fit with RCCB, you should contact MD Kris Covlin, or President Larrie Forbes.
Our music is varied, challenging, fun and serious. We play pieces that audiences love, but also that the players especially love to play. As in any community band there is always a special need for lower brass/winds and percussion.
For the 2024 season we are actively looking for bassoon, tuba, lower brass and percussion (mallet) players to balance out our sound. Please contact the RCCB if you are a player looking for a great band!
If you want to keep playing, or it has been a while and you've been thinking about 'getting back into it' we encourage you to check out one of our upcoming performances or 'listen in' in person at one of our rehearsals. If you think you might be a good fit with RCCB, you should contact MD Kris Covlin, or President Larrie Forbes.
HIRE THE BAND
The Royal City Concert Band loves to get out in the community for any and all types of performance events. We can field a 40 to 50 piece large band or a small group if the occasion requires.
The band also has a marching unit with a solid repertoire of 2 step marches and modern pep ralley pieces.
RCCB does occasional charity events, but the band needs to raise operating expenses partly with proceeds from our performances. (RCCB is a registered non-profit.) To inquire about an RCCB performance, click to go to our contact page...
The band also has a marching unit with a solid repertoire of 2 step marches and modern pep ralley pieces.
RCCB does occasional charity events, but the band needs to raise operating expenses partly with proceeds from our performances. (RCCB is a registered non-profit.) To inquire about an RCCB performance, click to go to our contact page...
RCCB 2024 SHOW CALENDAR Click on event tabs to view details.
In Memory of Earl
It is with great sadness that we learned that our dear friend and musical colleague, Earl Hobson, died on September 25th, 2015. Earl was a former Music Director of our band, who stepped down in 2012 due to health issues, after serving for 14 distinguished years on our podium. He was very well known as a high school and university music teacher, performing musician and adjudicator in the Lower Mainland and throughout the B.C. music community for many years.
Amongst his many awards, including a Richmond Secondary Music Teachers Association Lifetime Achievement Award (1996) and Professional Music Educator Award (1992), Earl was recognized by the B.C. Music Educators’ Association as an Honourary Life Member in 2008. We made him an Honourary Life Member of our Royal City Alumni Band Society in 2013. Earl successfully battled lymphoma and was able to re-join us as a talented musician over the past two years, and performed many wonderful solos at our concerts. Below are some memorable photos of Earl with the band.
Click to learn more about Earl's legacy (Vancouver Province)
Amongst his many awards, including a Richmond Secondary Music Teachers Association Lifetime Achievement Award (1996) and Professional Music Educator Award (1992), Earl was recognized by the B.C. Music Educators’ Association as an Honourary Life Member in 2008. We made him an Honourary Life Member of our Royal City Alumni Band Society in 2013. Earl successfully battled lymphoma and was able to re-join us as a talented musician over the past two years, and performed many wonderful solos at our concerts. Below are some memorable photos of Earl with the band.
Click to learn more about Earl's legacy (Vancouver Province)