About Us

The West Elgin Community Band was founded in 1991. For more than 25 years, the band has been providing music to the community in the forms of concerts, nursing home concerts, and other community events. The Band is made up of members from surrounding communities including West Lorne, Strathroy, St. Thomas & Glencoe. The band members range from age 16 to 80+!

OUR CONDUCTOR
James Callowhill is a well-known performer, teacher and instrumental conductor in Southwestern Ontario. Born in London, Ontario, he began his musical studies on piano and studied French horn in high school music with Rob LaRose.

He holds undergraduate degrees from Queen’s University and the University of Ottawa. James continued to study the French horn at Queen’s with Neil Spaulding where he played in many ensembles including Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and The Opera Pit Orchestra. After graduation James won a national audition to perform with the Canadian Forces Ceremonial Guard Marching Band on Parliament Hill, Ottawa. He served in this position for two summers.

James has appeared with many ensembles over his career including Brasswerks (Kingston), Ottawa Chamber Orchestra, International Symphony (Sarnia/Port Huron), Concert Player’s Orchestra (London), Brassroots (London), First St. Andrews Strings, London Community Orchestra, and Encore… The Concert Band (London).

James is a passionate teacher who dedicates himself to the music program at Lord Dorchester S.S. His Concert Bands, Choirs and Jazz Band have won accolades at the Kiwanis Music Festival (London) and the St. Thomas Rotary Music Festival.

In the fall of 2013 James accepted the position of music director with the West Elgin Community Band.

INTERESTED IN JOINING?
Contact us via
Email: westelginconcertband@gmail.com
Facebook: @WestElginCommunityBand

Or come out to one of our practices to see what it's all about!