Kenora Catholic District School Board

The Senior Band at St. Thomas Aquinas High School is beaming. Their recent performance and score ranking at the Optimist International Band Festival 2018 garnered them a prestigious invitation to perform at the 46th Annual MusicFest Canada National Competition held at the University of Toronto, May 14 - 19th.

Music Teacher Eric Harty talks about the upcoming competition. "The 49th Annual MusicFest is a national competition of essentially the best and brightest musicians from all over Canada. We did the qualifier with flying colours, and we are quite proud to have an opportunity to perform at the national competition."

Harty was surprised by the news. "To be honest, it was a great surprise to learn that we qualified. The fact that we not only qualified but that we also exceeded expectations. I was quite thrilled."

Harty wasn't the only one surprised by the news. "We didn't know that we were applying for the competition," says Grade 10 Tenor Saxophone player Stephanie Pedersen. "We just played like we normally do and to be honest, we pulled it off well."

Grade 10 student, Jackson Klippenstine plays the Upright Base. "I'm excited that we have the opportunity to play in Toronto with all the other bands. We will also have the chance to watch the bands as well. Not too many schools around here have the chance that we do."

Between now and May the band will be preparing for the competition. "We are going to practice, practice and practice," says Harty. "It's not only about understanding the rules and requirements of the competition but also taking what we've done throughout the entire year and fine-tuning a few things and doing the best we possibly can."

The Senior Band will be performing three pieces at the competition - Fire Dance, Pevensey Castle and a third song from MusicFest Canada's syllabus that has not yet been revealed.

"We are very excited to have this opportunity and to perform at this level," says Harty. "Coming out of Kenora, it's great for the band, the community and the entire school to see us have this opportunity."

The Senior Band will perform and be adjudicated and evaluated by some of the finest music educators in North America and they will have an opportunity to participate in workshops and sessions featuring some of Canada's best musical groups and performers.

Click here to learn more about MusicFest Canada: https://musicfest.ca/