Naden Band launches free CD

PO1 Marie-Perle Broadley (project manager), Lt(N) Vincent Roy (Commanding Officer and Director of Music), PO2 Steven Donegan and PO2 Bob Fearnley (project supervisors) with their new CD.

PO1 Marie-Perle Broadley (project manager), Lt(N) Vincent Roy (Commanding Officer and Director of Music), PO2 Steven Donegan and PO2 Bob Fearnley (project supervisors) with their new CD.

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

A new compact disc showcasing the musical diversity of the Naden Band is set for release next week just in time for Canada Day.

Seas of the Moon, a free promotional CD, will be available to the public starting June 22. The release of the CD brings to an end an eight-month process overseen by a team including Petty Officer Second Class Steven Donegan, who acted as project supervisor.

“The CD really contains a smattering of everything we do, and gives people a true picture of what a professional military band is capable of,” said PO2 Donegan, who plays trumpet.

Renowned Canadian composer Robert Buckley, who has collaborated with the band over the last few years, composed the title track on the album.  Buckley’s masterwork, he says, is a four movement piece of music that plays out much like chapters in a novel.

Included on the CD is “The Dolphin March”, a march written by Naden Band bassoonist PO2 Robyn Jutras and presented as a gift to the Submariners Association of Canada in June 2017.

“Scherzo for X-Wings”, a musical tour de force, composed by John Williams for the Hollywood blockbuster film Star Wars: The Force Awakens is also featured on the recording along with naval-themed works, marches and stage band original music composed by PO2 Barrie Sorensen.

PO2 Donegan believes the tracks will be of interest to listeners unaccustomed to their work.

The 35 full-time Regular Force musicians who make up the band perform at a wide array of public concerts, public events and engagements through the year. 

PO2 Donegan, 29, joined Canada’s military as a Reservist and member of the Band of the Ceremonial Guard at Parliament Hill in Ottawa before auditioning and making the jump to the Regular Force and joining the Naden Band in 2010. This was the career musician’s first time overseeing production of an album and said the experience was challenging but highly rewarding.

“In addition to learning all the music on the CD, there was the editing/mastering [of the CD], graphic design and countless logistical challenges,” said PO2 Donegan. “I’m glad I got a chance to take it on because I learned so much about the music industry; getting a project like this out to the public was extremely satisfying for me.”

An added bonus for music aficionados, the CD will be distributed free of charge at the band’s many concerts and public engagements throughout the year. Copies of the CD are also available at the band’s headquarter at CFB Esquimalt or by emailing them at NadenBand@forces.gc.ca

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