Oceanside
Concert Band
Find Your inner musician
Concert Band
The Oceanside Concert Band was formed in the early 1960s and is a founding musical group of Oceanside Music. The Oceanside Concert Band plays music of all genres including marches, overtures, musical medleys, pop tunes and other music specifically written or arranged for concert bands. Oceanside Concert Band’s musicians play woodwinds, such as flute, clarinet, saxophones, and double reeds; brass instruments, such as trumpets, French horns, trombones, euphoniums, and tubas; and percussion, such as tympani, bass drums, mallets and drum sets. Being a community band, the Concert Band accepts new Members of all ages capable of at least a mid-level skill. There are no auditions. Performances include large formal concerts twice a year at the Knox United Church in Parksville, as well as a series of smaller informal ones at various seniors’ community living and care homes throughout the Oceanside area.
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Concert Band Music Director
Dr. Paul Rathke
Originally from Lockport, New York, Dr. Paul Rathke is a distinguished musician and educator. He began his musical journey at The Eastman School of Music, one of the world’s top music schools, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 1970 on a scholarship. He furthered his education with a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University in 1974 and a Doctor of Music degree from the University of Kentucky in 1993.
During the Vietnam War era, Paul achieved notable recognition by winning a competitive audition for the Solo Cornet with The United States Army Field Band of Washington, DC. In this esteemed ensemble, he performed over 300 concerts a year across the US and internationally.
In 1975, Paul moved to Grande Prairie, Alberta to teach brass instruments and music history at Grande Prairie Regional College (now Northwestern Polytechnic). He also conducted the Grande Prairie Symphony Orchestra, numerous musicals, and chaired the College’s Fine Arts Department. After 33 years, he retired and moved to Parksville, joining the Oceanside Concert Band and Nanaimo Concert Band. In 2011, he became the Conductor of the Oceanside Concert Band.
Passionate about music, Paul continues to teach, record, and support his peers, sharing the magic of music with his community.
Supporting local music to foster vibrant community harmony.
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