Swing Shift London

The first New Horizons Band in Canada began in London, Ontario on Saturday, January 9th, 1999 at the UWO Faculty of Music Building. This is a program started at the Eastman School of Music as an activity primarily for seniors but the London group welcomed players of all ages. The London NHB concentrated on brass, winds and percussion. A spin-off from the London NHB took place on October 22nd, 2005 in the Music Bldg. when Big Band enthusiasts led by MARK ENNS (right in photo) formed a Jazz band group. After receiving many suggestions the band decided on the name SWING SHIFT. Their great love for the music of Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Woody Herman, and Les Brown has drawn many of the great tunes of that era into their repertoire. One of their well-known signature songs is “Moonlight Serenade”, written by Glenn Miller and performed by his Orchestra. As we developed more contemporary tunes and arrangements were added.

Swing Shift meets on Monday evenings, having moved from the UWO Music Bldg. to the Mocha Shrine, then to the Boys and Girls Club, the St. Ansgar Church, and currently at Trinity Place. Concerts have been held in many spots in London, including Springbank Park, the Kilally Bar, UWO Grad Club, at many London retirement homes, for several church groups, including weddings and dances, and an annual concert for the residents of Trinity Place. The presentation of our band to the whole NHB group at the 10th NHB anniversary concert was one of the highlights of our history.

MURRAY CARR (left in photo) became the new leader in January 2009 as Mark Enns had become very busy with the rest of his music duties at Saunders Secondary School and in the New Horizons program. Today, DON CLARK (centre in photo) is the conductor and doing a great job since December 2010. Including Don, there are presently 28 members in the Swing Shift Band – London. At full strength we have 12 saxes, 6 trombones, 6 trumpets, piano, bass, guitar and drums.