Approximately 200 students from five area schools came together to create a mass band at the Family of Schools Music Day April 6 where they performed Storm Chaser for its Composer David Marlatt.
Hub Staff
A storm of sound echoed throughout Saugeen District Secondary School’s (SDSS) cafetorium on April 6 as five school bands came together to perform Storm Chaser with its composer, David Marlatt, at the helm as conductor of the 200 piece band. As a gesture of thanks to SDSS music students for giving them space to practise throughout the year, the Port Elgin Community Band (PECB) sponsored the Canadian composer from Eighth Note Publications
Marlatt, a high school music teacher in Stouffville, Ontario, saw all bands perform a warm up chorale separately and adjudicated their playing style and gave tips as they each embark on their upcoming festival season.
The Family of Schools Music Day included G.C. Huston Public School, Northport Elementary School, École Port Elgin Saugeen Central School, Arran-Tara Elementary School as well as SDSS students, with the students also learning to play Storm Chaser.
Port Elgin Community Band Manager and Conductor Cam Porter was present at the special music day and said that it was very important for the young musicians. “The students have been working all year in their band practices and working with their conductors; and for days like this where they can perform their music.”
Porter said that Marlatt helped the musicians with basic ideas to make their bands better. “He worked on how to start a note properly, how to finish a note properly,” he said, as well as “your role within a group, sometimes you have the melody sometimes you have the harmony so he’s talked about all those things to help make the bands better.”
The PECB is set to perform one of Marlatt’s songs April 20 at the Walkerton Music Festival with their Spring Concert set for May 11 at École Port Elgin Saugeen Central School.
Musicians in the percussion section used different instruments to create weather related sounds during their performance of Storm Chaser.
Composer David Marlatt conducted the 200 student musicians through his piece, Storm Chaser.
The Saugeen District Secondary School Concert Band, led by Kerrie Lynn Boys, performed three songs for special guest David Marlatt April 6 at SDSS.
Following David Marlatt’s instructions, the SDSS musicians hit their notes a little bit faster and “kept up the musical conversation.”
Students from Grade school through to High school played together as part of a mass band performance April 6 at SDSS.
