By Nicole Fitzgerald
What: Instrumental Petting Zoo
When: Friday, May 25
Where: Spring Creek Elementary School
A marching band for Whistler’s Canada Day celebrations; a mini orchestra for school-run musical productions; and maybe even a youth music showcase at Olympic events. If you are going to dream, dream big, and Alison Hunter is doing just that, trying to implement Whistler’s first school band program.
“Our kids have so much music in them,” said the co-director of the Whistler Children’s Chorus. “I really feel that they need as many opportunities as possible to create music.”
The Whistler Children’s Chorus and Spring Creek Elementary School officials head the dream. Hunter said she hopes the grassroots project will eventually become a School District 48 program.
Band organizers invite Spring Creek and Myrtle Philip Grade 5, 6 and 7 students to join the “instrumental petting zoo” on Friday, May 25 at Spring Creek Elementary School where musicians of tomorrow can try out different instruments.
For once, kids are not only allowed, but also encouraged to make as much noise as they want.
Flutes, trombones, saxophones, percussion, horns and even the triangle, students are invited to find their inner Music Man and opt for their instrument of choice.
The following week, registration will begin, inviting a maximum of 40 students to join the school band. A minimum of 20 children will be needed to move forward with the program.
Morning classes will begin in the fall twice a week. Band practice will take place from 7:30 to 8:10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“We felt before school would work better as there are so many activities that our kids are involved in after school,” Hunter said. “It will be a beginning band in which parents are welcome to join in.”
Organizers are trying to keep fees low. Classes will be $30 a month, plus approximately $15 a month for instrument rental. There is also a mandatory instruction book for $10.
For more information, contact Spring Creek at 604-935-3822.
