Saint Mary's Band

The band was formed in 1903 as a youth outreach program of Saint Mary's Anglican Church. It provided music services to Saint John until 1917 when two thirds of its members enlisted and went overseas as the Band of the 140th Battalion. In England, they became the first brass band of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and were then sent to France. In France the Bandmaster, C.H Williams, was killed and his brother, Harold, was appointed to replace him. Two other members of the Band also lost their lives during World War One.

In 1919 the Band returned to Canada and its members were released in Ottawa. Many returned to Saint John and with a borrowed set of militia instruments, reorganized into Saint Mary's Band once again. By 1924 the Band had earned enough money to purchase new uniforms and instruments. It has provided musical services to the City of Saint John and Southern New Brunswick until this day.

After a cultural transition in the 1970s the Band progressed from an all-male, single denomination organization to admitting new members of both genders and any religion. In 1988 the Band re-established its ties with the PPCLI Regiment and continues this affiliation by wearing an element of the regimental insignia on their uniform. In 2000 the Band updated their uniform to the present scarlet jersey with financial support from the Saint John Foundation.

Ages of the members range from mid-teens to late eighties and include a wide range of occupations, ethnic backgrounds and social diversity. During the first half of the twentieth century there were many community and militia bands where wind instrumentalists could play. Today, in Saint John, only the Saint Mary's Community Band and the Third Field Regiment Band, the only military band in New Brunswick, remain.

Traditionally the Band lent instruments from its stores to its members, however due to financial constraints, no new wind instruments have been purchased in recent years and many of the existing instruments are reaching the end of their useful life. There is, however, a good collection of percussion instruments maintained by the Band members. As part of its community music support mandate the Band regularly lends these percussion instruments to other musical organizations, such as the Symphony New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra and various school musical productions.

For adults who always wanted to play — or play again — the Second Chance Band offers a welcoming, fun environment to discover or rediscover the joy of music.

Founded in September 2016, the Second Chance Band gives adults in the greater Saint John area the opportunity to learn a brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument in a supportive concert band setting. Members come from all walks of life and fall into three groups: those returning to an instrument after years away, those who play one instrument and want to try something new, and those picking up an instrument for the very first time.

The program proved so popular that a second band was launched in 2023 — meaning there are now two active Second Chance Bands. The original band, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, performs at the intermediate level, while the newer band offers a true beginner experience. Together they perform several concerts throughout the year.

Both bands are under the direction of Andrea Lewis, who is also a former director of Saint Mary's Band.

Leadership

Founder & Director · 2016 – Present

Andrea Lewis

Andrea is a retired music teacher from Saint John, NB. She holds bachelor's degrees in music and in education from Mount Allison University, and a master's degree in education from UNB. She has taught music at all levels from K–12 and held the position of Fine Arts Coach for ASD-South before her retirement in 2023. Andrea is a former director of St. Mary's Band, and she founded and directs the Port City Second Chance Band program which now has two levels — beginner and intermediate. She is active in musical theater and has been the music director for productions by Saint John Theatre Company, KV Players, and numerous high schools. Andrea is the Music Director at Carleton Kirk United Church in Saint John and coaches the a cappella group Northern Voice, based in Hampton, NB. She has been the guest conductor for several band workshops and an adjudicator for instrumental classes in music festivals. She is also a frequent performer on flute in the greater Saint John area. Andrea was recently honoured with a King Charles III Coronation Medal for her volunteer work in the musical community. She shares her home with 2 cats — Murfy and Leroy.

Assistant Director

Davin Sooley

Bio coming soon.