Music students from Gimli High School took home gold after performing at MusicFest Canada’s competition in Ontario last month.
Led by band teacher Stephanie Marks, the Gimli High School Band won gold in the Concert Band Division category, with an Honour Award going to Jake Kowalchuk (trombone).
And the Gimli High School Jazz Orchestra won gold in the Instrumental Jazz Division, with an Honour Award going to Elin Isfeld (alto saxophone).
Marks said the concert band was made up of students in grades 10-12, and that students had to audition for the jazz orchestra.
“The concert band played a French Canadian folk suite by Arnold McLaughlin, and the jazz orchestra played Mood Indigo by Duke Ellington and the Second Line Joe Avery’s Blues,” said Marks. “Our rendition of Mood Indigo featuring Elin Isfeld also won her special recognition from the adjudicators.”
When asked how she inspired the students to reach for gold, Marks said she reminded them they earned their invitation to the national competition.
From the time they were invited, the students felt motivated to rise to the occasion, she said
“Even though we were a small band from a small town, we deserved to be there as much as any other band,” she said. “I also reminded them that music was supposed to bring joy and to not forget to have fun while we do it.”
Evergreen School Division retired music teacher Janice Arnason, who’s on the board of the Evergreen Festival of the Arts and who has been involved with many local musical events over the decades, said she felt so proud of the students when she learned they had earned gold at the festival.
“I was so excited and proud of our GHS Concert and Jazz bands when Ms. Marks texted to say that they had achieved Gold at the National MusicFest in Niagara Falls. The GHS band room has become a ‘soul magnet ‘ for so many GHS students. This is a place where students can find joy, peace, commaraderie and acceptance while building their instrumental skill together as a team — the tightest team they will ever be a part of,” said Arnason. “I am filled with gratitude for Ms. Marks and the passion for music that she has passed on to her students, as well as for Mike Cherlet and Rob Chrol who came before her.”
She added that the Evergreen Band Boosters, which is made up of parents and community members who fundraise, purchase musical equipment and provide financial assistance, worked hard to make the Niagara trip happen, and that the [school] administration needs to be credited for their support.
MusicFest Canada is also referred to as the Nationals. The annual event helps develop musical talent. To qualify to compete, students have to first perform in a regional festival and receive high marks to earn an invitation. The Nationals is in its 54th year and was held from May 10 to 16 in Niagara Falls.
The festival brings thousands of students and music educators from across Canada to compete over the course of one week and take part in workshops.
Dozens of people took to social media to congratulate the Gimli High School music students and Stephanie Marks.
“Congratulations to all the band members and to Ms. Marks,” Elin Johnson posted. “Gimli is so fortunate to have an incredible band program.”
