NEWS RELEASE
UPPER GRAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
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GUELPH, ON - From May 9 to 14, musical ensembles from the Upper Grand DSB competed at the 2016 MusicFest Canada National Competition in Ottawa.
MusicFest is a prestigious event that showcases outstanding musical ensembles from schools across the country.
The competition brings together thousands of students and educators from across Canada over a one-week period, to celebrate excellence in musical performance.
The competition is hosted in a different metropolitan city each year, providing an opportunity for students and teachers to meet and share their musical talents and creativity.
Other goals of MusicFest Canada are to evaluate musical achievements in a educationally- focused way, encourage the study of music by Canadian composers and foster a lifelong interest in music.
John F. Ross CVI’s Intermediate Band won gold in the Concert Bank division, directed by Dorothy Vreeswyk-Kidd. It’s the first time the school had qualified for the national competition.
Guelph CVI’s Chamber Choir won gold in the Choral/Vocal Jazz division, directed by Lane Osborne. It’s GCVI’s first ever national choral medal.
GCVI Symphonic Band’s, directed by Dan Austin, won bronze in the Concert Band division – it’s the group’s fifth consecutive national medal.
The GCVI Gael Force Jazz Band, also directed by Austin, won silver - its sixth consecutive national medal.
The Guelph Youth Jazz Ensemble Band 3, which consists of students from GCVI and Centennial CVI, won gold in the Instrumental Jazz division, directed by Brent Rowan. And the Guelph Youth Jazz Ensemble Band 2, also directed by Rowan, won silver.
About the Upper Grand District School Board
The Upper Grand District School Board serves approximately 34,000 students through 65 elementary schools and 12 secondary schools in the City of Guelph, County of Wellington and County of Dufferin. Student success is the goal of over 3,000 dedicated teaching and support staff who are aided by the contributions of caring volunteers and community partners.
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