The Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival is honoured to be able to remember music educators who have passed, but not before leaving a legacy of making a difference in music education in the province.

Colin Grunert was a band director in Saskatchewan for 29 years. Graduating from Minot State University in 1980, he subsequently took a position in Long Lake School Division for three years, then moved to Estevan. Through the years, he taught band from grade 6-12 until his death in 2009. His bands included concert band, jazz band, marching band, drum line, pep bands at sporting events, and pit bands for musical productions. The ensembles he conducted received recognition locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally. Colin personally received awards including the first recipient of Musicfest Canada’s Keith Mann Award, Saskatchewan Band Association’s Distinguished Band Director, and the Paul Harris Fellow by the Estevan Rotary Club for Community Service.

Colin had a strong commitment to the Community of Estevan and was particularly involved in his support of the United Way, Estevan Rotary Club, Estevan Exhibition Association, and Estevan Bruins Hockey Club.

One of his pet projects was Saskatchewan Band Association’s Kenosee Summer Band Camp, the only residential summer band camp in Saskatchewan.

Colin’s hobbies outside of band and community included construction work and watching his children in their various activities. He was especially proud of his family, his wife, Stacy and children, Patrick(Laura), Sheena(Nathan), Alyssa(Evan) and Matthew(Brooke).

The family is delighted that the Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival is honouring him in this way.