Oceanside
Big Band

Dream Big

Big Band

The Oceanside Big Band was formed in October of 2022 by veteran educators Dave Fullerton and Jim Thompson whose combined experience directing high school music programs in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland totals over 50 years. The band joined Oceanside Music in the fall of 2023 and assumed its new name, Oceanside Big Band. Under Dave’s direction, Oceanside’s Big Band is a band reminiscent of the Big Bands of the 1930’s and 1940’s playing both the ‘danceable’ music of those decades plus repertoire from today’s top arrangers. Big Band Members include many past music educators and those with a wealth of other musical experience that play brass, wind, keyboard, and base
instruments, backed by a full rhythm section. To join, musicians must have previous musical experience and are either invited or selected by referral or by their musical reputation. The Big Band loves to perform and is very active in the community. We perform two large concerts every season, as well as a host of smaller ones throughout the Oceanside area. 

Oceanside Big Band Musical Director

One of the founders of the Big Band was the band’s Musical Director, Dave Fullerton. Thanks to him the Big Band has formulated its unique sound and with the efforts of the entire group, Big Band has created quite a buzz in the Oceanside community since its inception. Dave made the decision to step down in early 2025. Since then, the other founding Member, Jim Thompson, and musical group representative, Joe Foster, share the responsibilities in managing the Big Band which has continued rehearsing and performing with several of its highly experienced musicians rotating in leading the group. The band is grateful for Dave’s direction and lessons learned along the way. They will determine the need for a Musical Director in the future.