Ian Burbidge – Alto and Tenor Saxes, Flute, Composer/Arranger           
 
Noodle Factory:
Ian is one of Noodle Factory's founding members. He wanted to create an ensemble that could challenge some of the area's finest musicians and provide an outlet for music written by local musicians. Ian has been the group's leader since it's founding in 2007. He has written dozens of compositions and arrangements for Noodle Factory. Some of his work involves less common time signatures. In every case, Ian tries to find something new to say in the pieces he arranges, often drawing on styles completely different than the original. Ian plays alto, tenor and soprano saxophones as well as a bit of flute.
 
Other Musical Activities:
Get Back (Beatles cover band)
   Ian uses his keyboard not only to provide piano parts, but also to cover all those other instruments found in the Beatles' repertoire - everything from piccolo trumpet to Sitar. Ian also adds his voice to the mix both as a lead singer and to provide harmonies. Many of Get Back's tunes stick fairly close to the original, but in some cases, we bend the style and arrangement a fair bit. Get Back has been getting lots of work lately playing dances - particularly at various Legion Halls around the area. It is amazing how many great styles of music are covered by the Beatles' repertoire and our dances have certainly been going over very well.

Port Elgin Community Band
   Ian has been a member of the Port Elgin Community Band for many years now. He is a featured conductor and uses his talents as a multi-instrumentalist to help balance the instrumentation of the group. Over the years, Ian has played Bassoon, Percussion, Tuba and most recently, French Horn. It is indeed an honour to be a part of this community institution. The support and expression of music by this group is outstanding. 

Southampton Summer Music
   Ian has been fortunate to be involved with this amazing organization for many years. He began as a saxophone instructor, added the role of conductor and board member before taking a break from the organization for a few years. Last year (2022) he was lured back to join Mike Grace as a member of the jazz faculty. Ian is looking forward to reprising that role this summer. 

Other Activities
   In addition to these fairly regular activities Ian has had many opportunities to share his music. He often backs up the Lulu's Roadhouse band as a part of the "Men in Black" horn-line. He has become a regular in the pit orchestras for SDSS musical theatre productions - most recently Mary Poppins, The Music Man and The Little Mermaid. Ian loves musical theatre and has had the joy of co-writing a few musical/theatre pieces including a fictionalized history of Kincardine - Kincardine Calls. Ian occasionally subs in with other bands including Lighthouse Swing Band and the Southampton Community Band. He even did a short stint as accompanist for the Chantry Singers.

Biography:
   Ian was born in Scarborough, ON, but spent his formative years in Norfolk County near Lake Erie (Simcoe, ON and Port Dover, ON). He attended Elgin Avenue Public School and West Lynn Public School in Simcoe and Port Dover Composite School in Port Dover. Ian earned a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education from Queen's University in Kingston. Ian spent a year teaching math and music at Bluevale Collegiate in Waterloo before moving up to Kincardine to teach music at KDSS. Eventually, he made the move up the road to Saugeen District Secondary School. Ian has been retired for over 7 years now but still gets in a little supply teaching here and there. Ian lives in the country near the Saugeen River with his wife Sandy and their four dogs and two cats.