A Music Update

By: Neo Fisher

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Ending the month of March the school choir went to compete in the Ontario Vocal Festival. The came out from that with a fairly high scorings on all there song; How can I keep from singing "J’entends le Moulin" and "I’se The By". Entering the month of April the senior band and choir started putting more time and effort into their playing as their trip to Halifax at the end of April into May came closer. Sectionals, constant practicing, built the excitement so the band could, improve for their performance and venture to Halifax, where they are given the chance to perform in the Atlantic Music Festival playing a slightly different repertoire; Rider of the Mountain, Newfoundland Folk Song, and Archangel, a piece that Mrs. Ziemba had commissioned for the school's 10th anniversary. This will be the first time its being played out of the school, which is very exiting.

To further improve, Mrs. Ziemba had clinician, Colin Clarke come in on April 21st to give more advice and feedback before they leave. “It was a really beneficial experience! I think it was a fun way to teach us ways we can improve!” Mackenzie Prechner expressed after. In addition Clay Prechner stated that “The clinic was a lot of fun, I enjoyed how it was still work and we got so much done but we had so much fun doing it. I enjoyed the Colin’s perspective was very unique, instead of looking at the things other adjudicators looked at he looked at the small details.” Musician Hailey Donn’s thought on the experience are such “It was lots of fun and very beneficial to our playing, Colin really helped us see the bigger picture of our music.”

As it drew closer the excitement from the music kids grew. “I’m super excited, especially since it’s my last year. This year's itinerary looks very fun, I like how I’m excited for everything and not just one thing that seems super interesting. I’m also really excited to go to Halifax since I haven’t really been to any other province and I hear the east is really nice. I’m excited to perform, especially with a new piece, and I hope we do well,” another joy filled thought from Clay Prechner.

In these last few months the music program only has two things planned: their trip to Halifax from April 30 - May 3, and the final performance The Spring show on May 27, saying goodbye to all the grade 12 musicians who are graduating. Concluding the music programs year.