Pipestone Flyer
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Vol 14, Issue 51 (Leduc-Wetaskiwin Pipestone Flyer)
On December 8, 2010, members of the Thorsby High School Bands, under the direction of David Holbrow, presented their Annual Christmas Concert at the High School. The audience of just over 150 enjoyed a wide variety of musical genres performed by the band -from Tchaikovsky’s classical, “Nutcracker Suite” to Lennon/McCartney’s “Yellow Submarine” to traditional and novelty Christmas favourites including “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”. There were also instrumental and vocal solos and duets.
A band member reflects
This is Kristen Neumann’s first year with the Beginner Band. The grade 8 student, who is one of many band members who has not taken private clarinet lessons, explains band members receive basic instruction on their instruments during band class.
“After that, we practice at home. The band class meets every two days with Mr. Holbrow. We started practicing for the concert in October.”
But it’s not all hard work. Kristen says, “It’s fun playing with friends. We help each other and practice together.”
Being in the band has enriched member’s musical experience. Kristen says the best part of being in band is “getting to learn-having fun and learning more about music. Music is a big part of my life. I’ve been singing in church since I was four-years-old and would like to be a worship leader in church one day.”
Thorsby Band Parents...and Grandparents...Aunts and Uncles....
“It’s wonderful that families and the community come out to support the kids,” said Dean Green, Chair of the Thorsby Band Parent Association. “It was great to see the stage full. And I say it’s good to run out of seating and bulletins!”
Family and the community support the band members by attending the concert and by helping fundraise for what is the highlight of the year-band camp, held this year at Rundle’s Mission, Pigeon Lake. “At our bake sale, we started out with three tables full of baked goods and there were only a few plates left. The band kids can’t do it alone. It’s good to see so many helping to keep it going.”
Director’s comments
David Holbrow stresses the importance of band camp. “It provides an opportunity to bring in professional instructors who are experts in various instruments, allowing students extended time to work with professionals... they give a concert for the students.” Holbrow says during those four hours, because it is so focused, students learn more than he can teach them all year due to the necessity of dividing his time as he works with various sections of the band (ten or more different instruments).
Holbrow has been teaching for 16 years, 10 in Thorsby. In addition to working, he is also working on his Master’s Degree in Administration. “It’s been close to twenty years that there’s been a band program here in Thorsby. The Christmas program has been a staple right from the beginning,” says Holbrow.
THS also performs at Thorsby Elementary and New Humble School (south of Calmar), with other performances at the school during the year.
The 2010-11 Band Members
Members of the Grade 7/8/9 Beginner Band include: Taya Brochu, Laila Elkadri, Kristen Mitchell on Flute; Lance Green, Tianna Hyde, Meghan Lacey, Carly Walter on Alto Sax; Katlynn Coulson on Tenor Sax; Dylan Jones on Baritone Sax; Gavin Bilar, Laura Jamha, Shannon Tancowny, Kaiden Todd, Chris Warnock on Trombone; Colton Brown and Brent Mitchell on Percussion; Tracy Ewashkiw, Trina Ewashkiw, Sam Lu, Ciarra Martin, Ashley McLeod, Kristen Neumann, Kendra Schmidt, Natasha Wurban on Clarinet; James Buchberger, Sabrina Cole, Kayden Kuzio, Shane Martin, Jillian Raugust on Trumpet; Abe Elbanna and Nicholas Pink on Euphonium; and Jace Harrish and Amy Scheetz on Tuba.
Members of the Grade 10/11/12 Senior Band include: Serena deBoer, Lisa Green, and Tara McInnes on Flute; Eric Scheetz and Carly Warnock on Trumpet; Brandon Green on Euphonium; Jesse Avramenko on Bass Guitar; Samantha Kuzio and Amanda Wemp on Clarinet; Alysha Scheetz on Alto Sax; Allen Cambel on French Horn; Colton Walter on Trombone; and Jacob Pollard on Percussion.
Thank you to Director Holbrow and members of the THS Bands for adding a touch of sparkle to this Christmas season.