A Music Update

By: Neo Fisher

---

Tuesday February 12 -- the schools' Senior and Junior band headed off at 7:30AM to go compete at the Ontario Band Association at the Chinese Cultural Center in Scarborough. Upon arrival students filled off the bus and got settled the junior band got set up to go to their practice room before heading to the stage. Going over their songs, tuning and hearing encouraging words from Mrs. Ziemba, they were brought onto the stage. Though nerves were strong they were exited regardless, it being all of their first time competing. They got situated on the stage, waited for their introduction, and started. They played their song Ready to Fly followed by Barricade. Feeling good about their performance, they were brought to a different room to do a clinic.

They worked on parts of their songs and ended the clinic with giving out the leadership award. An award given to someone from each band, chosen by their teacher, a student who has shown great leadership and participation. This award was given to grade 9, Ilana Fisher in the junior band. After heading back Mrs. Ziemba told them that they received a silver. The band members were given about an hour to relax, eat lunch and mentally prepare for the senior band performance. The event was moving fast so the senior band was preforming earlier then anticipated. Student had to set up and head to their practice room, where they did the same things that the junior band did. Tune, practice, and listen to Mrs. Ziemba’s encouraging words. Then they took their turn, heading onto stage nerves arose, for this was nearly all of their first time at OBA.

Once again, students got situated and ready to play. They started with their slow song, Newfoundland Folk Song, then went on to play their fast song, Rider of the Mountain. When they finished and put their instruments down, they felt a sense of relief. The soloists stood then they all headed to their clinic. Doing the same as the junior band did. When it came to the end of the clinic the leadership award was presented to grade 12 Mackenzie Prechner.

All musicians packed up and gathered back on the bus. As they started to drive home, Mrs. Ziemba opened the folder revealing the medal the senior band had earned. The bus erupted in cheers as the students are told that they won a silver plus and an invitation to nationals.