Terrace, B.C. – On Saturday, March 5, the Terrace Community Band (the band) performed at the R.E.M. Lee Theatre.
This was their first live concert since the start of the pandemic, and they took time to celebrate the life of the late Laura Biagoni. Laura was a beloved member of the band for 24 years and the Financial Aid Officer at Coast Mountain College for 20 years.
Laura passed away unexpectedly in December 2020 at the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice in Kamloops, B.C.
Norma Stephens, Laura’s sister, was touched by the band’s decision to honour Laura’s life in the concert.
“The band was a very important part of her life,” says Norma. “The family very much appreciated the effort they put into the concert.”
Norma explains how her sister impacted the lives of all who knew her.
“She cared about people. You’ll see that a lot of people in town remember her for her caring and taking time to listen to people,” says Norma.
Geoff Parr, conductor of the Terrace Community Band and someone who knew Laura for most of their lives, echoes Norma’s comments, and says Laura’s presence is dearly missed.
“Laura was this positive, effervescent person,” Geoff says. “She was happy and engaged in everything.”
Laura is remembered for her compassion, sense of humour and infectious laugh. Although she played the cornet in the back of the band, she was front and centre of every practice and performance.
“She thought she was sitting in the back row, but her personality showed she was always in front,” explains Geoff.
Proceeds of the Saturday night concert went as a donation in Laura Biagoni’s name to the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice.
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Media contact
Jessica Hogg
Interim Director of Communications
jhogg@coastmountaincollege.ca
250.641.2206