Junior and high school students from Chinook’s Edge are showcasing their musical talent through honour band.
Dozens of band students were selected to participate in the tradition by their teachers.
Honour band is an opportunity that happens in Chinook’s Edge once every two years, but this year is the first time since the pandemic.
Before the performance, students rehearsed the music in their schools, with their band teachers.
On the day of the concert, the students gather and work with a guest conductor to make sure they are performance ready.
This year’s guest conductor is Kathie Van Lare, who has been teaching music in the Calgary area for 35 years and continues to direct the Foothills Music Society Concert Band, the Westwinds Music Society Gold Jazz South Big Band, and the Calgary Women’s Jazz Orchestra.
Michael Gouge, band teacher at Hugh Sutherland School in Carstairs explained that honour band not only gives students an opportunity to work with guest conductors but also highlights the importance of community and collaboration.
“Honour band is an important opportunity for students to go above and beyond with their music while working with other dedicated musicians such as themselves,” Gouge said. “Honour band provides not only a great challenge for our music students as an opportunity to grow their musical abilities but also acts as a means to recognize the hard work those students have put in to be selected for the honour band.”
Madalyn St-Jean, a Penhold Crossing grade 8 student, said she is looking forward to the experience.
“I’m excited to meet new people, learn new things, and get better at playing. I think honour band is good to get people out of their comfort zones,” St-Jean said.
This year, the junior high band concert is on Feb. 13, at 7 p.m., at the Olds TransCanada Theatre.