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Join us on Sunday afternoon, June 18, as the Brockville Concert Band excitedly pays tribute to the musical legacy of the late Lance Besharah. 

The afternoon’s lineup will highlight some of his favourite pieces, genres and composers, all of which held a special place in his heart. It will be a diverse program, featuring songs from Broadway, Film and Concert Band Standards. It will also include a work from one of Lance’s closest friends: Howard Alexander. Lance had been the conductor of the Brockville Concert Band for more than 25 years, when he passed away suddenly, last June, from cancer. 

Throughout those years, he built the band to what it is today: a thriving, inclusive community that gets together every Tuesday night to play music. As was his wish, the band continues today under the musical direction of Judy Quick and Chris Coyea. Although the future of the band was uncertain during Covid times, it has now grown to more than 60 members. Lance Besharah was a key figure in making Brockville’s musical landscape what it is today. It is difficult to find someone that he has not directly influenced. As well as directing the Brockville Concert Band, he taught music, hospitality and shop at Thousand Islands Secondary School for many years, and was also a founding member of Youth Opportunities in the Arts. You can find his work and hear his music in so many different places in Brockville. He loved to play “Ave Maria” at Christmas, the Beach Boys in the summer and felt every musician should know how to play Gustav Holst’s Second Suite. The Father’s Day Concert will be a moving and entertaining tribute to a wonderful family man, musician, dear friend and colleague.

This show will take place at the Brockville Arts Centre on Sunday, June 18 at 2:00 p.m.

 In the Brockville Arts Centre lobby, the remainder of Lance’s beautiful wood pieces will be available to purchase with all proceeds going to support his family. In keeping with Lance’s ideals, music should be available to everyone; there will be no charge for admission.