The Maryfield District Lions are excited to be hosting Mark Humphries and His Orchestra on Friday, Nov. 13, as a fundraiser for their service club.
The orchestra focuses on 1940s swing music and band leader, Humphries, says that it is an event not to be missed.
“We’re grateful for the Lions to give us a chance and we’re excited to help the Lions raise money,” Humphries said. “It’ll hopefully be an exciting night. There are no swing bands outside Winnipeg and Regina, so we’re a unique item to the area and we’re not something you see often.”
The orchestra is made up of musicians both men and women from 20-year-olds to people into their mid-70s.
“My background is in music,” Humphries explained. “I played from the time I was a child, I then joined the army as a musician in the U.K. and after that began teaching, privately mostly.”
“I formed an orchestra, of the same name, there before moving to Canada and we were around for 25 years, the only reason why we stopped was because we emigrated to Canada. We brought our gear, our musical library, the band stands, everything. We didn’t really expect to use it again, but I couldn’t part with it.”
An opportunity to get back into it developed when Humphries met Scotty MacIntosh, who was in his 80s at the time, but still running an orchestra in Brandon.
“I’d turn up at rehearsals and play a little with them,” Humphries explained. “He retired and I took over the residue of that band, but we had some family issues and it was put off for a little while, but last year I picked it back up.”
Band members come from across southwestern Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan with musicians from Wawota to Elkhorn coming together in Brandon to play together.
“Over the last seven months we’ve been putting everything together and this will be our first time out with this particular group,” Humphries said. “The orchestra is full of talented musicians.”
There are 18 in total, which Humphries says is typical for a 1940s swing band which usually sees between 14 and 21 people involved.
“It’s the same size as Glen Miller’s or Harry James’ bands,” Humphries said. “We have five saxophones, three trombones, three trumpets, bass piano, drums, a vocalist, myself, and our soundman. The soundman is my son and has been doing this since he was 13 and he’s now in his first year university, he’s very accomplished.”
The concert in Maryfield will be held on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Maryfield Auditorium. Happy hour begins at 5 p.m. followed by supper at 6 p.m. and the concert at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $40 in advance for supper and the concert included with VIP seating. There are a limit of 180 tickets for this option.
Advance concert tickets only are $20 each and there are only 130 tickets available overall.
The deadline for advanced tickets is Sunday, Nov. 1. After that there will be rush seating at the door for the concert only at $25 a ticket.
Contact Barb (306)646-4324 or Sharon (306)646-4333 for more information.
