Cape Breton Community BandFest

05/29/2026

05/01/2026

Laura Mercer is the CBFM Cape Bretoner of the Month❤️

Laura’s impact on Cape Breton can be measured in the thousands of lives she touched through music, education, and volunteerism.

She was a longtime educator who inspired generations of students through school band programs, helping young people build confidence, discipline, and a lifelong connection to music.

She extended that impact beyond the classroom by founding and leading the Second Wind Community Concert Band, giving adults a chance to continue playing and stay connected to their community.

Laura was also a key contributor to major cultural events, including Stanfest, Celtic Colours International Festival, and the East Coast Music Awards.

For more than 20 years at Stanfest alone, she played a central role in artist relations, ensuring performers and volunteers were supported, organized, and cared for.

Her work helped sustain events that are vital to Cape Breton’s cultural identity and economy.

She was known for her consistency and leadership.

She showed up early, stayed late, and stepped in wherever needed. When challenges arose, she was part of the solution. Just as importantly, she supported the people around her, checking in, encouraging others, and helping teams function at their best.

On a personal level, Laura had a direct impact on many families across the island, through the way she supported, encouraged, and uplifted people.

Her ability to make others feel valued was a defining part of her contribution.

Laura Mercer strengthened Cape Breton’s cultural community, supported its people, and created lasting opportunities for others to connect through music.

Laura sadly passed away earlier this month.

Many people have said she is very deserving of this recognition as CBFM’s Cape Bretoner of the Month❤️

04/17/2026

04/03/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we share to our musical family the passing of our founder and conductor, Laura Mercer, yesterday evening.

Laura brought so much life, joy, and music into our community. Her belief and example of “Music for Life” will stay with us always.
Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time.

Laura, in music and in memory, you will be forever in our hearts. 💔 🎶

03/25/2026

👀 If you’ve been waiting… here it is! CB BandFest 2026 will be Oct 2-4th 2026.

https://secondwindcommunityband.com/bandfest/

If you can’t wait that long check out the other festivals!

Halifax
https://www.secondchancesband-ns.com/hfx-band-fest/?fbclid=IwVERFWAQxL65mZGlkFlA5MemOTYRiTabfEzM1o-VABKkk1EJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeXQAncmbrNtiwNRoTQvcSC5ush_JtjT8xf-tT4O5sPBsf706K7RacvmbxeqI_aem_QHRZyr7AIHvx9Az4glE19g

Annapolis
https://annapolisbasincommunityband.wordpress.com/?fbclid=IwdGRleAQxMChmZGlkFlA53RbiKNqYLYKntaU27DsGIiiZ6O9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEehtANNSpkOCnQQAcB2yY0DxC-7LcZhkilx4LsUbZwK1wEOppepFB_MpC4smo_aem_adQYLDRgIcXjyEnvaJpeoA

11/07/2025

10/28/2025

Wow, what a weekend! Hope everyone made it home safely and here’s another great big THANK YOU to everyone who made Cape Breton Community BandFest 2025 such a special experience. If you have any photos you’d like us to share, please send them along to [email protected]. We can’t wait to see you all next year 🎵 🌈

10/26/2025

What a beautiful morning to LISTEN to our wonderful conductors and take in the stunning Sydney waterfront!

Cape Breton Community BandFest 2025 will be finishing up today - with a FREE concert to the public at 2pm (come early, B building cafeteria, to get your seats ~1:30pm). Come see what we’ve been up to all weekend and tell your friends!! We’d love to see you all 💕 🎵 🌈 Second Wind Community Concert Band

10/24/2025

FYI

For those travelling to Sydney, be advised that we have a lot of construction work going on at the moment! Avoid Kings Road in Sydney River and take Exit 7 via Alexandra St. instead to come downtown!

Find the NSCC Waterfront Building B door under the pedway on the Esplanade where you will find our registration table and you can sign in at the security desk! Here’s some pictures to help you find your way!! See you all soon! 🎵 🎷 😊 🎺 🎶

10/21/2025

CB Community BandFest is this weekend! It’s not too late to sign up! See our schedule of events below with info on out clinicians, conductors, and sponsors!

Don’t forget, if you can’t make the whole weekend - we have a free concert to celebrate our event at 2pm on Sunday - NSCC Waterfront Campus.