Kimberley is a community that thrives on volunteerism and the arts community is going to feel a big loss with the departure of Laurel Ralston. And it won’t just be the arts community — Ralston is also active politically, having run twice for Kimberley City Council and represented the Green Party as a candidate in the provincial election this past spring.
Ralston, who conducts the Kimberley Community Band, announced at the Band’s concert last week that it was her last conducting performance, though she will play at Arts on the Edge. She is leaving Kimberley for Ottawa, and although she won’t say it is forever, she will be gone for some time.
In addition to the Community Band, Ralston is also the Choir Director at the Kimberley United Church and President of the Kimberley Arts Council – Centre 64 Society. Ralston specializes in the trumpet and has played professionally both with The Jazz Council and the Symphony of the Kootenays.