MOOSE JAW — The Moose Jaw Band and Choral Boosters group was so pleased with a musical initiative for elementary students last year that it’s hosting the program again and adding an extra day.
The non-profit group — which launched in September 2023 — hosted an inaugural two-day professional development-type event last March that brought together the best musicians in grades 6 and 7, who gave a concert performance after having only a day and a half to rehearse.
Roughly 60 students from public and Catholic elementary schools joined forces to form a single concert band — similar to sports-related Selects teams.
“It’s sort of like an honour band that the directors can nominate students to participate in if they think that their leadership or ability … is a little bit higher (than other students) and could use the challenge,” said Kurt Gillett, the Boosters’ chairman.
“They’re going to learn a bit extra, and … (it) will help with all sorts of things in their program.”
Guest conductor Brent Pittman led the honour band sessions last year, while he also directed students during their concert. Moreover, several high school students also supported the younger musicians.
Gillett thought the two-day event was “a huge success,” while he thought the concert was great, considering students had so little time to practice.
This year’s professional development clinic runs from Thursday, March 13 to Saturday, March 15, with the public concert on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the A.E. Peacock Centennial Auditorium.
This year, students will begin learning on Thursday night instead of Friday morning like last year, due to the Boosters adding an extra clinic day because of how well the event went in 2024, Gillett said. So far, more than 50 elementary school band students have registered, although more are expected to join.
This year’s guest conductors are husband-and-wife duo Tom and Loren Hearn, who are retired music teachers from Melville. Both Hearns recently received an award from the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association.
Gillett noted that students will receive the music ahead of time but won’t have anyone teaching it to them until they arrive for the sessions. The Hearns will help the kids read the music Thursday night, while the youths will “really dig into everything” starting Friday morning, with high school students helping.
The Hearns will run through the concert music program on Saturday morning and polish everything before the big event that afternoon.
“It’s a very intense amount of time they (the students) have to learn everything, but it’s also super fun,” said Gillett, noting the youths will also go bowling and socialize with their peers. “It’s like a team sport meets music.”
To support this event and other music initiatives throughout the year, the Boosters are holding a fundraiser at The Mad Greek on Thursday, Jan. 30, featuring boneless Greek ribs and Caesar salad, with meals available throughout the day to eat in or take out.
Tickets are $25 each, and all proceeds will support band and choir students across Moose Jaw, with a focus on the elementary school level. Last year’s fundraiser generated over $700.
For tickets, email [email protected].
Another short-term goal the Boosters have is to bring in a clinician to teach Grade 6 band students during three or four sessions and then combine all those youths into one group, Gillett said. The non-profit hopes to do this before the March clinic so the Hearns can lead those earlier sessions.
Meanwhile, the Boosters are also figuring out how they can support high school band students and the new White Heather Youth Pipe Band.
Anyone interested in joining the Boosters’ group in either an executive or volunteer capacity or just the email list can contact Gillett at [email protected].
