Music program wraps up with public concerts!
The students in Salmon Arm Secondary’s rock band, jazz and concert bands, and choir all wrapped up their year with very successful concerts!
The Rock Band lived up to its billing and rocked Canooligans! The SAS Choir performed at The Night Cafe, with the Concert and Jazz Bands kicking off the WOW concert series at the Salmon Arm Wharf.
Music teacher Brook Roberts explains Rock Band is currently an elective offering for grade 11/12 students at SAS. It has been developed using the “Contemporary Music” curriculum, with assessment models derived from post secondary performance based courses. The inaugural cohort was a very positive and enthusiast 24 students.
The course material roughly followed the history of Rock and Roll, with live playing assessments every two weeks.
He explained that units included The Beginning of Rock, Beatles 1964, Monterey Pop, Punk Rock, The 90’s, MTV Unplugged, and Canadian Rock.
Students also had the opportunity to do a choice unit. The members of the bands changed with the units, so students were always learning to play with new people. “Most units we had five band,” explained Roberts. “Over the course of the semester, students had to perform at least once for their peers in SAS’ Atrium.”
“We also took our show on the road, and performed at the Blind Bay Grocery Anniversary Market and concluded our year with a sold out show at Canooligans. The final performance had 150 attendees, with approximately 30 turned away due to being at capacity. The students played for a very enthusiastic crowd for two-and-a half-hours.”
The SAS Choir final concert was held at The Night Cafe in Salmon Arm on June 4. The full house was treated to two sets, the first being students who performed solos or duets of their choosing – accompanied by piano or guitar. The second set was nine songs from the choir ranging in styles and accompaniment.
“They performed everything from madrigals, to pop and classical to vocal jazz. The Night Cafe was a perfect setting for people to listen, relax and enjoy the variety of choral music in one of Salmon Arm’s most creative venues.”
Wednesday on the Wharf was sponsored by The Salmon Arm Folk Music Society and Acorn Music. It included performances from J.L. Jackson jazz and concert bands as well as SAS jazz and concert bands.
“It was a beautiful Shuswap evening, and the park was full of both parents and community alike, taking in the first WOW performance of the season.
At the concert, two of the performing students, Jack Schreiner and Jonas Roberts, were presented with the Salmon Arm Folk Music Society Scholarship for excellence in performance arts, added Roberts.