A group of youth from across the province have gathered in Winnipeg to participate in the Manitoba Provincial Senior Honour Band.
72 students in Grades 9-12 from all points across southern Manitoba and as far away as Thompson, spend three days rehearsing with a special guest conductor for a concert that will take place on Saturday.
“We’re really excited to have guest conductor, Dr. Emily Moss, coming to us from the University of New Mexico,” said Manitoba Band Association Executive Director, Brent Johnson. “She’s a wonderful human. She’s a bassoonist, which is kind of cool. There are not too many bassoonists turned conductors. We’re excited to have her joining us. It’s very special that she can be here making music and connections, with these students.”
Johnson says the kids participating are part of this auditioned band because they love music and have worked hard to get where they are.
“They want to learn and play and again portray their best selves and do something that’s bigger than just them. And being in a band is all of that,” Johnson explained. “It’s just the most amazing feeling. A big part of this program too is providing the students with mentorship.
The students met up for the first time last Saturday and spent a couple of hours doing sectionals with clinicians. Their first rehearsal was on Thursday evening. They will practice again this evening and then Saturday morning before their performance Saturday evening.
“We’re really excited to feature the Winnipeg Wind Ensemble as our special musical guests,” said Johnson. “The Winnipeg Winds will open the concert under the direction of their music director, Virginia Helmer. And this way the students are seeing one of the top wind bands in the province, and they’re getting to experience that next level.”
The concert will take place at Jubilee Place, 173 Talbot Ave. on Sat. Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. Admission is pay what you can.