Band
Didsbury High Band News
BAND NEWS - OCTOBER 2021
Music is once again filling the room at DHS! We are thankful that we are able to continue to rehearse within the current COVID 19 situation, and hopeful that we will be able to share our music in concert soon!
DHS BAND SOCIETY
The DHS Band Society is a group of dedicated parents who assist the Music Department in a variety of ways. All parents are members of this group by virtue of their child’s participation in Music at DHS. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month. Our Annual General Meeting for the 2021/2022 school year is Wednesday, October 13th at 7:00 P.M. Due to COVID 19 restrictions this meeting will be held through Zoom. If you would like to receive the link to access the meeting, please email Mr. Wassmer to receive the link.
FUNDRAISING
Your student may have brought home our first fundraiser of the year, the 2021/2022 Admazing Ticket Pack. We have books available for the Red Deer, Edmonton, Calgary and Southern Alberta regions. The cost per book is $25.00, but these can quickly pay for themselves many times over. All books and money must be turned in by Friday, October 15th.
We are also starting our annual Centennial Frozen Foods fundraiser! The quality of the product has made this an excellent fundraiser for our program. All Band students have been given order forms and information. All orders must be turned in by October 21st and will be tentatively delivered on November 17th. If you have any questions or can help on the day of delivery please contact Tessa Wilson at 403.559.9372.
UNIFORMS
Concert dress for all groups is black DHS Music dress shirt, black dress pants, black socks and black dress shoes. Leggings and yoga pants are not appropriate concert attire. The DHS Music shirt is available through the Music Program at a cost of $40 per shirt. Cheques can be made payable to the DHS Band Society.
UPCOMING CONCERTS
The DHS Music Department Fall Concert is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, November 10th at 7:00 PM in the DHS Gymnasium. Please note that all events scheduled for this year will be subject to the AHS guidelines and/or restrictions in place at that time.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT TRAVEL
Travel to music festivals and special performance tours is a big part of music at DHS. I really believe that getting our students out to national and international festivals is a big reason why our program sounds as it does. In addition to getting feedback from some very well respected conductors and clinicians, these trips also give our students the opportunity to hear what other programs are doing and learn by listening.
At this time CESD is only approving field trips within the province of Alberta. I am hoping that this restriction is lifted so that we are able to resume our regular tour schedule in the Spring. If this is the case, the Grade 9 Concert Band will be travelling to the Moose Jaw Band and Choral Festival and the Symphonic Winds and Odds and Evens Jazz Ensembles will be going to the Con Brio Whistler Festival in Whistler, BC. If we are only allowed to travel within Alberta I am exploring alternate festival arrangements that we could participate in closer to home.
If you have any questions or concerns about our Music Program please feel free to call (403.335.3356, ext, 5959) or email (kwassmer@cesd73.ca).
Alberta Virtual Band - The Standing Stones of Stenness
5 students from Didsbury High School took part in the Alberta Band Association Virtual Wind Symphony. This ensemble, made up of the finest high school musicians from across the province, worked to prepare the world premiere of Allan Gilliland's composition The Standing Stones of Stenness. In addition to getting to virtually meet the composer, the students also received instrument masterclasses from members of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Here is the video of the finished product.
Students: Amy Black, Mikayla Henderson, Payge Laverdiere, Chase Rauhala, & Kaleb Rauhala