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Media Release
For Immediate Release
May 11, 2019
Journey Middle School band wins invitation to Nationals
SOOKE, BC – The Journey Middle School band returns triumphant from the regionals for MusicFest Canada, in Port Alberni in April with all five groups receiving an invitation to the Nationals in Calgary in 2020.
“I could not be prouder of the students,” said Lorna Bjorklund, Journey Band conductor and teacher, “They’ve performed exceedingly well and we’re excited at the chance to go to Calgary in 2020. I’m really touched by how the community came together to support the kids. We had a wonderful team of parents, teachers, administrators and Sooke residents who helped make our trips possible.”
In Port Alberni, the students received Superior and Excellent gradings for their performances, as follows:
- Grade 6,7 & 8 Concert Band received Superior
- Grade 7&8 Concert Band received Excellent Plus
- Grade 8 Concert Band received Excellent Plus
- District 62 Orchestra received Excellent Plus
- District 62 Chamber Ensemble received Superior Minus
All five groups performed and all five received invitations to Nationals.
“We were so surprised when they told us how well we’d done,” said Stella Champagne, who plays the clarinet in the Grade 6 section. “I’m very excited at the chance to go to Calgary.”
The students also recently performed very well in a second event at the Whistler Cantando Music Festival in Whistler, BC, on April 26. The Grade 6,7,8 band received Silver and the 7,8 band received Gold. Adjudicators there commented that “they have a beautiful sound”, “a great band” and “some really, really nice playing!”
“It was fun to go and it was an interesting experience,” said Sienna Lajoie, flutist in the grade 8 band, who attended the Whistler Cantado Music Festival.
Upcoming, the Journey band will also be performing in the Capital City Jazz festival in late May and will be giving further concerts in June. The band will also be planning fundraising in the next seasons to raise money to attend Nationals.
Attachment: WhistlerGroupPhoto-JourneyBand.jpg
For inquiries, please contact:
Lorna Bjorklund, Band conductor and teacher
Cell: 250.555.5555
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