G.P. Vanier band needs your help
Emily Plihal
for Smoky River Express
Georges P. Vanier junior high band students are working hard to raise enough money to go on a trip of a lifetime this spring.
The grade 8/9 band competed at the Grande Prairie band competition last school year, and impressed the crowd with a performance that prompted the adjudicator to invite the band to national competition in Ottawa.
Junior High band teacher Pam Heckbert says the students deserve to be going on the trip.
“Last year, the band competed and received a gold rating which is the highest level at the Grande Prairie competition,” says Heckbert. “They also received an award for their efforts.”
Heckbert explained the festival organizer asked if the school would be interested in having the students compete at national level. Early this fall, the school received the invitation in the mail to compete at Music Fest Canada, being held in Ottawa from May 17–22.
“High Prairie School Division has approved the trip,” says G.P. Vanier Band Parents’ association president Michelle Simoneau. “This will be a large financial commitment for the parents, but the students really deserve to take part in this trip.”
The cost of the trip for each child is estimated between $1,300 – $1,500. Heckbert explains this includes flights and accommodations, listening to the Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra in concert, a concert of the Central Band of the Canadian Forces, National Arts Centre Orchestra subscription series concerts on May 20 and May 21 at Southam Hall, educoncerts with the Capital BrassWorks, Yamaha Custom Z Combo, McGill Faculty Student Ensemble, and Humber Faculty Quartet and up to $100,000 in scholarships and awards.
The students will also have the opportunity to see the parliament building, see various museums in our nation’s capital, and take a jazz cruise on the Ottawa River.
“The cost is very high and we are looking at alternatives for the families that will not be able to afford the trip,” says Heckbert, who explains a meeting will be held to determine what type of fundraisers can be held. “This is the first trip of this magnitude made available for our students since I started at Vanier.”
“The kids are really excited to go and this will definitely be a trip of a lifetime for them. This will definitely provide the students with a great educational opportunity.”
The band will be using their annual fundraiser “Strike-up-the-band” as part of their monies for the trip.
Heckbert explains any donations or ideas for fundraisers will be greatly appreciated.
If you would like more information on the trip, or would like to donate to the band, please phone Pam Heckbert at 780-837-3959.
The band requires a great deal of money to be able to go on this trip and appreciate all help.
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