I’d like to recognize a tremendous and well-loved institution in my riding of Windsor–Tecumseh, the Greater Windsor Concert Band. This past weekend, the band celebrated their silver jubilee. True to form, they celebrated in style with a free community concert at the Serbian Centre of Windsor.

Led by their enigmatic director, Ric Moor, the band brings back to our community the magic of wind-band and concert-band music. From their humble beginnings in 1997, comprised of Ric and 12 musicians he was able to recruit—and hosted at St. Thomas of Villanova high school—the band delivered their first of many Christmas shows that year, and they have kept an incredible holiday spirit alive in our community ever since.

The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t keep the band down. Their YouTube and TikTok channels are going strong, delivering incredible music when it was needed the most to keep our spirits lifted.

And for those among us who just can’t get enough of All I Want for Christmas Is You, rest assured that the Greater Windsor Concert Band has an incredible rendition of this beloved holiday classic.

Thank you to President Diane Hernandez, Vice-President Lori Coulter, Secretary Annette LaRose, Treasurer Matthew Grayson and Directors Karen Barnes, Amanda Hanson, Angela Manser and Laura Zarlenga for sharing your love of music with all of us in Windsor–Tecumseh.