The Junior Band Put on a Stellar Performance at the St. Thomas Aquinas High School Concert
The Grade 5/6 Junior Band put on a stellar performance at the St. Thomas Aquinas High School Christmas Concert on December 6th. The students performed three instrumental songs after only six practices.
Music Teacher Eric Harty talks about the students' progress. "The students have come a long way in a very short period. This is only their sixth practice. Considering the first time we saw them they didn't know how to put their instrument together or make any sounds. They have come a long way, and I'm proud of them."
This is the first time many of the students have ever had an opportunity to learn a musical instrument or perform in a concert.
Monica, a Grade 5 student from St. Louis School, was nervous and excited about the performance. "I'm nervous and excited because I know it's going to be a lot of fun. I always see my siblings doing this so it will be fun to be in the concert too. This is my first concert at St. Thomas Aquinas High School."
Tanner, a Grade 6 student from St. Louis talks about sharing the experience with other elementary students across the board. "I knew a lot of the kids already but there are some that I met during band and we became friends. It is a great experience meeting the other students from the other schools and I like playing the trumpet. I plan to keep learning the Trumpet."
At the concert, the students performed a funky version of Hot Crossed Buns, Au Claire de la Lune and Good King Wenceslas.
Over 40 students signed up for the program, from St. Louis School, Pope John Paul II School and École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys. The students meet at St. Thomas Aquinas High School on Wednesdays after school. When they signed up, students got to choose one of four instruments: flute, clarinet, trumpet and trombone.
Thank you to Mr. Eric Harty, and the community volunteers Mike Rushton and Estelle Cantera for providing this opportunity to the Junior Band students.
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We caught up with the band for some behind the scenes pictures and interviews, just before their Christmas Concert performance.
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During the concert the band performed extremely well. It was hard to believe that they had only had six practice sessions to achieve this level of performance.
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Teacher Eric Harty and community volunteer Mike Rushton are showing off the new STA Junior Winds Band T-Shirts. Waiting for the t-shirts to arrive was nail-biting experience. The shirts were delivered a few hours before the students went on stage.
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The students are proud of their instruments and being part of the STA Junior Winds ensemble. The program is a great opportunity for the students to get ready to transition to high school and meet their peers in the other Catholic Schools.
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