Director

Peter Wenzek

Peter Wenzek began his music career at the age of five in Calgary, studying clarinet with Glen Montgomery. Later he studied with Stan Climie while playing and touring with the Calgary Youth Orchestra. In the mid 1980s, following his experiences at the Courtenay Youth Music Centre, he was inspired to pursue a performance degree, beginning at the University of Calgary, studying with Steve Amsel. After two years in Calgary, Peter left home to study clarinet performance with Wes Foster at the University of British Columbia, where he earned a Bachelor of Music and performed with the Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra. Wishing to share his passion for music with others, Peter then pursued a Bachelor of Education at UBC.

Peter has taught music in schools in Maple Ridge, North Vancouver, and Burnaby, and at the college level at Capilano University. For over 20 years, he led concert bands, jazz bands, symphony orchestras, and marching bands at Burnaby North Secondary School. His ensembles consistently achieve high ratings at music festivals. Peter’s groups have toured in British Columbia, Alberta, California, Washington State, and Cuba. Some of his past students now work as professional musicians, composers, and educators.

In 2003, Peter completed his Master of Science in Music Education at the American Band College at Southern Oregon University. In 2007, the University of Manitoba bestowed him with an award for “Significant Contribution to Excellence in Teaching.”

From 2012 to 2015, Peter was the music director of the Royal City Concert Band, leading the group for many performances and award-winning festival adjudications.

Peter has served as music director for numerous musical theatre productions, including Vancouver’s Metro Theatre 2011 production of 42nd Street. He spent 10 years playing clarinet with the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and has performed with the West Coast Symphony Orchestra on many occasions.

Peter has been a member of the British Columbia Music Educators’ Association, and a member and board member of the British Columbia Band Association. He was the woodwind coach for the New Westminster Symphony Orchestra for over 20 years.

Peter retired from teaching after 31 years, choosing to move back to his musical inspiration place of the Comox Valley, where he has already performed and conducted with the concert band, musical theatre, and symphony orchestra.

He is honoured to be named the Music Director of the Comox Valley Concert Band, and looks forward to sharing his love of music with the band’s performers and its audiences

Previous full time and guest Directors: