The Carnival Band is a community music project with ten years of history, based out of Commercial Drive’s Britannia Community Centre. Musical direction is provided by Ross Barrett and Tim Sars.
Instrumentation for the band includes all range of brass, woodwinds, drums, percussion, accordions, and of course voice. Stage shows also allow us the opportunity to join our bass, guitar, fiddle, banjo, piano, and keyboard playing friends.
Many of our favourite tunes are originals by band members. The remainder of our monstrous repertoire includes samba, calypso, swing, afrobeat, jazz, funk, disco, and traditional music from around the globe.
We believe that community music is grounded in collaboration, with the aim of empowering the individuals involved. Songs and performances are a means to creative expression and community cohesiveness, rather than an end in themselves.
If you have a desire to learn and perform, we can help make your dream come true. Some instruments are available for loan, and some of the band members teach music professionally. We do this because we love it, and because it makes the neighbourhood smile.