Senior students from six area schools create 'mass band'

Over 250 music students from Kincardine, Ripley and Saugeen Shores came together as a mass band learning and performing two songs at part of a Band Camp held at École Port Elgin Saugeen Central School March 31.

Hub Staff

Senior students from six area elementary schools came together to create beautiful music as a mass band of over 250 students at Band Camp, March 31, at École Port Elgin Saugeen Central School (ÉPESCS).

Musicians from École Elgin Market and Huron Heights in Kincardine, Ripley District School, Southampton’s G.C. Huston, and Saugeen Shores’ Northport and ÉPESCS spent the day making new friends and learning two pieces, before coming together to perform “Majestica” and “Kick Start!” conducted by retiring music teachers Meryl Gillmore from G.C. Huston and Shelley Van Veghel from Huron Heights.

The Band Camp was organized by École Elgin Market’s music teacher Christine Cooper of Port Elgin, who wanted the musicians to come together before festival season.

“I felt that we didn't have enough ways to get our musicians together,” said Cooper. “We have basketball tournaments, we have volleyball tournaments, but we don’t have any other reason to get together other than one festival once a year.”

Students were separated by instrument to work closely with local area musicians including Wayne McGrath, Cam Porter, Ridley Gillmore and Mike Smith.

Cooper said this gave the students a chance to work with a specialist and other students who grappled with the same instrument. “This gives all of us a chance to work with a specialist to know that ‘I’m not the only clarinet that can't play higher than C’, so we all learn together and I think the kids have really enjoyed it,” she said, adding that the young musicians came out with more skills and confidence in their instrument.

gillmore560 Retiring G.C. Huston music teacher Meryl Gillmore conducted “Majestica” during Band Camp March 31.