Over 180 local students take the stage at Ontario’s West Coast Musicfest

Members of the CHSS Jazz Band performing at the showcase in Blyth on March 11. (Back, L-R): Dominic Srigley, Elizabeth Howson, Alexander Roes and Cam Boult. (Front, L-R): Aminah Hassan and Anthony Mero.

Over 180 student musicians from across the region gathered on March 11 at Blyth Festival for Ontario’s West Coast Musicfest.

Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS) and the Blyth Festival partnered to put on this educational event, also made possible through the County of Huron’s Supporting Local Youth Program.

Students from CHSS, Stratford District, St. Anne’s Catholic and St. Michael Catholic school showcased their musical talents and dedication.

According to Aaron Neeb, Chair of Ontario’s West Coast Musicfest, Blyth Festival offered the space for the young musicians to showcase their talents.

“It is important for our local youth to have spaces and opportunities to perform, improve and collaborate in Huron County,” admitted Neeb.

Ontario’s West Coast Musicfest offers local school ensembles the opportunity to perform and to be evaluated against a national standard.

Ensembles that meet this high standard of performance receive exclusive invitations to the National Competition, held in Niagara Falls this year.

According to Neeb, ensembles were required to perform at least one piece composed by a Canadian composer.

Hannah Hewitt, youth organiser and volunteer, believes it is important for schools to have a local option where they have a space to play the music they’ve been working on while sharing it with peers.

“In many cases, bands would be travelling up to three hours away to attend a musicfest regional competition,” said Hewitt.

“Hosting it locally makes the event more accessible.”

Performances were adjudicated by music professionals including Paula Ortelli, a retired music teacher from Stratford, and Laura Lee Matthie, a retired music educator from Orillia and former president of the Ontario Music Educators’ Association (OMEA).

Four ensemble bands were assessed as performing at an exceptionally high standard and received official invites to perform on the National Stage in Niagara Falls.

The four bands were the Stratford District Secondary School B100 Band, the St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School Concert Band, the CHSS Jazz Band and the CHSS Senior Band.