Author: Mark Follett

Grade 9-11 Students: Provincial Honour Ensemble Audition Materials now available!

BRITISH COLUMBIA MUSIC EDUCATORS' ASSOCIATION

In conjunction with the annual BC Music Educators’ Association (BCMEA) Conference, the BCMEA delivers special programming for BC’s most outstanding youth musicians. Hundred’s of students audition annually from across British Columbia for positions in one of five provincial honour ensembles – Choir, Jazz Band, Vocal Jazz, String Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble. These ensembles feature guest conductors from around the world providing rich and rewarding musical experiences for all those involved. Performances take place at the annual BCMEA conference in Vancouver/Richmond on Friday, October 23, 2020.

This is an incredible opportunity for any student to consider. We strongly encourage any interested students to pursue this and will do everything we can to support your efforts! The due date for submissions is Friday, April 24, 2020.

An overview of the program and related audition materials can all be found here at http://www.bcmusiced.ca/honour-ensembles-audition-materials.html

Please contact Mr. Follett or Ms. Caswell if you have any questions and good luck!

District Senior Jazz Festival – 6:30 call @ WGSS on Wed, Jan 29

Just a quick reminder that the District Senior Jazz Festival is on Wednesday, Jan 29 at Walnut Grove Secondary.

Call: Senior Jazz 10-12 call is 6:30pm in uniform with all music and equipment (including mutes for brass!) in the WGSS cafeteria.

Show: The show runs from 7:00pm to approximately 9/9:30.

Admission: To help cover the cost of the adjudicator and clinics, admission is $5 per individual or $10 per family (not including performers) at the door

This is a great chance to share our music with ensembles from around the district and to hear what other schools are doing. Email me if you have any other questions and I’ll look forward to seeing everyone from Senior Jazz on Wednesday.

Thursday, Jan 16 – No Sr Jazz or Jr Choir

Snowday

Considering the continued cold, snow and road conditions, along with the forecast for tonight and tomorrow morning, Ms. Caswell and I have decided to cancel tomorrow morning’s (Thursday, Jan 16th’s) Senior Jazz and Junior Choir rehearsals. Please check the SD35 website on Thursday morning regarding plans for the rest of the day.

Senior Jazz – I have already spoken with Brad Turner tonight and we will be rebooking our clinic. Please remember we still have the district festival with him as our clinician on the evening of Wednesday, January 29th at WGSS. 

Monday, Jan 13 – No Jr Choir or Sr Jazz due to road conditions

While the snow has stopped falling, neither of our neighbourhoods have been plowed and considering that the highway is currently closed at 248th, we are cancelling early morning classes today. Please check the SD35 website regarding plans for the rest of the day.

Senior Jazz – As we have the district festival quickly approaching and our workshop with Brad Turner Thursday, we will we will have a rehearsal Wednesday at Lunch in place of this morning. Please put it in your calendar now and spread the word.

Weather decisions for early morning classes

With the weather having finally turned to winter, a quick reminder around classes and snowfall. As the district doesn’t make the decision about closing schools until most people are on the road for our 6:45 rehearsals, I will make a decision regarding early morning rehearsals by 5:30am based upon what I see out our window and post to our website, Facebook, Instagram and via email.

Please assume rehearsals are running unless we post, but alway make safe decisions based upon your own circumstances. If you decide your/your child’s drive is unsafe due to the weather, as with any early-morning absence, please just email to let us know if you are keeping them home so we are aware and not worried they’ve had trouble on their way in.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate email and know that our priority, especially on these winter mornings, is always your child’s safety.