Start spreading the news as the Holy Rosary High School senior band is leaving for New York in mid-May to play in the Big Apple.
Band teacher Aaron Sikora says they are taking 50 students to New York from May 16 for a week-long tour.
“It will be an intense time of performing along with sightseeing. It will be fun.”
There will be community performances and a workshop with faculty at New York University. The school has previously been to San Francisco, Seattle, and New Orleans with fundraising through the community and the Lloydminster Catholic School Division (LCSD).
Overall, Lloydminster students including those in LCSD are getting ready for the Kiwanis Music Festival in the Border City, April 22 – May 2 at Grace United Church.
Grades 6-9 and the senior band will play in the band segment of the music festival next week. Sikora who has been teaching music for 25 years adds that for the senior band members who have been playing music all their lives, it’s certainly something they are looking forward to.
“At LCSD, we have three teachers who deliver the music program. And there are 587 students. Music adds a lot to their lives. We have the curriculum. So, we teach that, the skills and the technique, but I think it can go beyond that and serve a purpose for them to express themselves and work as a team,” says Sikora.
Garde 12 musician, Owen McFarlane plays flute, trombone, drums, guitar, and a little piano. He had his early years of music through his grandmother and has been accepted to attend Brandon School of Music in Manitoba on a performance scholarship.
“When I did my audition, it was $3,000 a year for the first four years, if I maintain a 3.0 GPA,” says McFarlane.
The 17-year-old student has been inspired to become a music teacher. He is anticipating the Big Apple tour.
“I’m really looking forward to the food. I’m a big food guy. But also, the music that’s in New York and everything they have planned. There’s not going to be a dull moment.”
McFarlane emphasizes the healing and therapeutic aspects of music along with the ongoing work to improve one’s technique.
“I don’t think I would be able to be where I am without practicing.”
McFarlane enjoys jazz music and will have a few performances with fellow students at the music festival along with a solo.
Music festival and New York tour combined; the high schoolers will celebrate camaraderie in their upcoming endeavours.