Blake Ellis/The Independent

For 82 years, Norm Sutherland has immersed himself in his passion of playing music and performing with various bands.

May 24, the 92 year-old Petrolia man gave his last performance with the Bluewater Wind Ensemble, a group he has been playing with for the past two years.

Sutherland joined Petrolia’s White Rose Junior Band at the age of 10. “They had no trombones and that is what I wanted to play,
so for the first three years I played an upright alto,” said Sutherland.

When he was in Grade 11, Bandmaster Percy Cox gave him a euphonium to play, which is like a small tuba. At this time, he moved up to the White Rose Senior Band and performed with the band at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.

Cox would pass away in the 1960s, which led to the White Rose Band folding. During this time, there was a small group called the Petrolia Music Makers, an ensemble of 10 to 15 members, which included Sutherland.

The Bluewater Symphonic Band would disband in 1990. After a decade without a concert band in the region, Sutherland with music teachers, Dave Parkes and Chris Coyle, formed the Lambton Concert Band in 2000. At the time, the teachers were working to rule so music students were not able to play, said Sutherland.

“So the timing was good. I had 78 names on my list that I contacted, not only students but former players,” said Sutherland. The Lambton Concert Band recently marked its 25th year.

Throughout the years, he has played in 14 bands, which have included six concert bands, three stage bands, two symphony orchestras, one football marching band and two ensembles.

As for any advice he has for anyone wanting to take up an instrument, he suggests taking vocal lessons to improve your breathing. He did this for three years and even sang in the St. Philip’s Catholic Church Choir, which his wife Phyllis directed.

Sutherland does have musical regrets.

“If I was starting over again I would take piano. That is a good basis for any music,” said Sutherland.

Disciple is also important, he says. When he was in elementary school, there was an hour and a half lunch. Sutherland’s mother would not let him go back to school until he had practiced for an hour. He’s practiced an hour a day his entire life.

If you’re just starting out, Sutherland suggests new musicians buy a used instrument. He’s donating his to the Bluewater Wind Ensemble for someone else to use.

“The trombone was my first love, but I took the euphonium and did both of them,” said Sutherland. He donated two trombones and a euphonium.

Sutherland says new musicians can find a lot of good tutorials on YouTube, adding a student still needs a personal connection, so find a good teacher.