Music brings together people in powerful ways that no one can predict. Jevon Hills, Founder and Band Leader of Little Brown Jug Brass, could never have imagined when his friend, Richard Scholz, played trumpet in his junior recital, senior recital, and even at his wedding, that almost 30 years later LBJB would include all three of Richard’s children! And LBJB is lucky to have them.
Andrew, Mark, and Paul are talented musicians in their own right having achieved music degrees, performing with a number of professional ensembles, playing several different instruments, and teaching.
“What are the gifts music’s given to me?” Mark Scholz laughs. “You know the cheesy saying of ‘Live, Love, Laugh’? Well music has given me all three!” That tracks. Richard met his wife, Heather, through music “…and without that we literally wouldn’t exist. Having a musical family is something very special, and I do not take that for granted. Some of our fondest family memories have come from practicing and performing together.”
“And as for love,” Mark continues, “if it weren’t for high school band, I likely would not have met the love of my life. Everyone jokes about band students and their ability to end up in relationships with one another, but it makes a lot of sense. Music powers strong emotions and can be there with you through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. When you learn, rehearse, and perform music with someone, you’re getting to know them on a deeper level. Sharing these emotions with one another is strangely calming through the rollercoaster ride of life, and that naturally brings people together.” Andrew agrees. It would be hard not to considering he met his fiancé Sydney, also a member of LBJB, through the band program at the University of Calgary.
And the laughing part – these boys have that in spades.
“If I have learned anything in the professional world of music, it is to always try and make the most of the moment,” Mark shares. Those who stay motivated and love music for the right reasons will always seek the positive aspects of any situation. You may miss a couple notes here and there, and if you let that bring you down it can only hurt you. Instead, we laugh it off and move on!”
“LBJB is a way to relax with music and have fun,” Andrew continues. “While still learning and striving to do my best, LBJB gives me the opportunity to play around and try new things in my playing in a low-pressure environment. The music is lots of fun, but the band as a whole is the reason for this. All of our members get along and enjoy making good music together, something that not all ensembles have.”
Mark jumps in enthusiastically, “As musicians we occasionally like to channel our immaturity and just have silly fun, and that’s what keeps us young at heart. There’s nothing like playing
mariachi-style duets on bad sounding pocket trumpets to cheer you up after a tough week!” To illustrate, Paul immediately challenged the other two with duelling trumpets and flugel horns.
Yet, each of these young men recognizes the power of music education and how it can support people’s development for the better. They have witnessed firsthand the impact on students’ social and emotional development. They’ve seen students’ abilities to better focus and improve learning in other subjects as well as develop critical thinking and creative skills.
“If done properly, music education can motivate students to become better people as well as musicians. It is a beautiful thing, and something that is very important in today’s world,” Mark shares.
“Making music has such a strong impact on all age groups, but my favourite has been seeing the impact on the younger demographic,” Andrew adds. “Giving back to the community is the only way to keep the community thriving. In the case of the music community, many people are unable to purchase instruments or afford music lessons. The only way that we will keep the community growing is by providing support and opportunities for music education.”
For this reason, LBJB are hosting two holiday concerts to raise money for scholarships for Cornerstone Music Café. The first will be a more intimate concert in Cornerstone’s new performance venue including Special Guest Derek Stoll, and the second will be a blow out bash at the Ironwood Stage and Grill! Both concerts will include Special Guest Ashley Ghostkeeper, a Metis-Cree country singer songwriter and some of Cornerstone’s student performers.
Festivities will include an online silent auction.
Tickets
- November 24, 2023 – Intimate Concert at the Cornerstone Music Café – $25 or $55 (which will include a glass of wine and a charcuterie board made up of ingredients from local Alberta producers. )Buy tickets online at https://www.cornerstonemusic.ca/shop-now
- November 25, 2023 – Blow out Bash at the Ironwood Stage and Grill – $30
Call the Ironwood Stage and Grill at (403)269-5581 or email reservations@ironwoodstage.ca
