St. Mikes Thunder Beats Update

By: Neo Fisher and Shia Tailor

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St. Mikes music program, also known as the Thunder Beats, started up in September. First starting up with senior band on Wednesday September 10th. The room filled with a large group of returning senior students and a handful of juniors ready to try their hand at the harder music. Five days later, Mrs. Ziemba opened the choir room on Monday, September 15th for returning grades 12, 11, and 10s while welcoming all new members with open arms, ready to start this years singing adventurous.

On Friday, September 19th, Mrs. Ziemba and the music council held a back to school lunch pot luck, where everyone was encouraged to bring a food item starting with the first letter of their name. The period was full of laughs, eating, dancing, and even kKaraoke. When Tuesday, September 30th rolled around, Mrs. Ziemba started up junior band. Grade 9s and 10s showed up, to look at some songs and find an instrument they would like to start or continue playing. With all this having started up, the practicing for future performances and this year's trip to Halifax starts.

On Thursday October 2nd, students from all 3 extracurriculars went on a retreat at the YMCA for some team bonding. Gathering at 9:50, the group separated into 3 and went to do a variety of activities. Such as low ropes, where the kids supported, helped and assisted each other – lots of balancing, laughs, and the occasional scream. They did the high ropes where one group member climbed up and relied on their friends to keep them up. They even had to try and start a fire with the hopes to make pop corn. After the fun day, everyone went home feeling exhausted around 4.

On October 22nd, the music kids went to the Toronto Symphony to see a student performance about latin music. It was a trip full of laughs and excitement, especially for the saxophones, getting to see a rare occasion where there was not only one but two performing. Definitely the start of a lot of fun memories for the year. All the music students are really looking forward to the trip to Halifax now!