Many members of the Northport Senior Band upon their return home May 17. The band received a Gold standing in national competition, MusicFest Canada, in Ottawa.

Hub Staff

The Northport Elementary School Senior Band received a Gold standing at MusicFest Canada national competition in Ottawa, May 15 to 17.

The band made quite an entrance Friday evening when their bus returned to the Port Elgin school escorted by fire and police vehicles, with lights and sirens activated, to awaiting parents and teachers, some holding balloons and signs congratulating the returning students.

"What a response," said Andrea Rideout, Senior Band Conductor and former music teacher at Northport. "We had people waving to us, taking pictures, it was just so nice to feel such support from everybody," she said.

"It's just so nice to finish this way as well with our program finishing off here," she added.

Rideout has recently accepted a new position with the Bluewater District School Board but chose to finish out the school year in her role as conductor to the senior band. With the Grade 7 and 8 students moving to Saugeen District Senior School for the 2019-20 school year, this is the final year for a Northport Senior Band, at least for the time being.

Principal Suzanne Kennedy was among the waiting parents and teachers Friday evening and said that the band did an amazing job in Ottawa. In addition to taking part in MusicFest, the 52 band members visited musuems, the IMAX Theatre and the former Kingston Penitentiary.

The band made quite an entrance Friday evening, May 17, escorted by police and fire vehicles with lights and sirens activated.

Many parents were present to welcome the students home and celebrate their victory, many with signs and balloons.

Andrea Rideout, Northport Senior Band Conductor and former music teacher, was overcome with emotion when she and the band returned home May 17.

The bus and students arrived to many awaiting parents and teachers Friday evening.