Hi my name is Kim Klassen and I am the Music Director here at Ecole Mother Teresa School in Sylvan Lake, AB. I am also an active musician in Red Deer. My first love is band and to keep my own skills fresh and strong, I play with the Red Deer Community Band Society Monday night band. This band plays for many different events in the community including the "Lest We Forget" Concert in November, the RDCBS Christmas and Spring Concerts and several Festivals. We have also been known for the "Concert in the Park" performances at Bower Ponds. This band had the honor to play in Edmonton for the Centennial Celebration with other community bands from all over Alberta. Three years ago, an Adult Marching band, which is also under the RDCBS umbrella was created and I have thoroughly enjoyed pulling out my trumpet and getting a little exercise too! We had a busy parade season this year with about 8 parades. I also play with the worship band "Synergy" from Gaetz Memorial United Church. We play for the service 3 or 4 times a year and have even done a road trip or two!
My second love is playing the Handbells. I got into handbells when my best friend and I started a choir in Hay River, NWT and I have not looked back. Although, I do not conduct a choir presently, I do play weekly with the Golden Gaetz Ringers from Gaetz Memorial United Church. Like Synergy, we also play regularly during the services. The two greatest accomplishments in my handbell career was to have travelled to London, ON on 2001 with 12 students and 3 chaperones, where we played in our first ever handbell festival. We were the ONLY choir from the NWT, and quite the celebrities all weekend. There were over 500 ringers ringing over 2000 bells playing the same songs. I truly have heard a bit of heaven!! Oh and we even played a STAR WARS Medley!!!
The second accomplishment was to meet Kevin McChesney, a world renowned composer for handbell music. I attended a workshop in Edmonton in 2010. Kevin was directing this workshop. It was an awesome experience and I learned so many new things. I even got to play the biggest bells. I learned that Kevin had been a quest conductor with the choir I started in Hay River and that he composed a song especially for them. TOO COOL!!
My home life involves my fur family Lilo the cat, Kyah and Teakah, both Keeshound dogs. They are my world. We spend what little free time I have playing at the puppy parks and grooming. God has truly bless my life in every way! GOD IS SO GOOD.
My second love is playing the Handbells. I got into handbells when my best friend and I started a choir in Hay River, NWT and I have not looked back. Although, I do not conduct a choir presently, I do play weekly with the Golden Gaetz Ringers from Gaetz Memorial United Church. Like Synergy, we also play regularly during the services. The two greatest accomplishments in my handbell career was to have travelled to London, ON on 2001 with 12 students and 3 chaperones, where we played in our first ever handbell festival. We were the ONLY choir from the NWT, and quite the celebrities all weekend. There were over 500 ringers ringing over 2000 bells playing the same songs. I truly have heard a bit of heaven!! Oh and we even played a STAR WARS Medley!!!
The second accomplishment was to meet Kevin McChesney, a world renowned composer for handbell music. I attended a workshop in Edmonton in 2010. Kevin was directing this workshop. It was an awesome experience and I learned so many new things. I even got to play the biggest bells. I learned that Kevin had been a quest conductor with the choir I started in Hay River and that he composed a song especially for them. TOO COOL!!
My home life involves my fur family Lilo the cat, Kyah and Teakah, both Keeshound dogs. They are my world. We spend what little free time I have playing at the puppy parks and grooming. God has truly bless my life in every way! GOD IS SO GOOD.