The Blyth Festival Theatre was filled with music on Wednesday, March 11, as over 180 student musicians from the area participated in Ontario’s West Coast Musicfest.
This festival, organized by Central Huron Secondary School and the Blyth Festival, was made possible thanks to the County of Huron’s Supporting Local Youth Program. Students from Central Huron Secondary School, Stratford District Secondary School, St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School, and St. Michael Catholic Secondary School showcased their commitment and enthusiasm for music.
“We are grateful to the Blyth Festival for providing a fantastic venue for youth musicians from our Region,” said Aaron Neeb, Chair of Ontario’s West Coast Musicfest. “It’s crucial for our local youth to have places and opportunities to perform, grow, and collaborate in Huron County.”
As an official affiliate of Musicfest Canada, Ontario’s West Coast Musicfest offers local school ensembles the opportunity to perform and be assessed against a national standard. Ensembles that achieve this high standard receive invitations to compete at the National Competition, which will take place this year in Niagara Falls. Each group is also expected to perform at least one piece by a Canadian composer.
“I believe it was essential for schools to have a nearby option where they could play their music and share it with peers,” said youth organizer and volunteer Hannah Hewitt. “Often bands would travel up to three hours away just to attend a regional music fest competition. Hosting it locally makes it more accessible.”
The performances were judged by seasoned music professionals: Paula Ortelli, a retired Music Educator from Stratford, and Laura Lee Matthie, a retired Music Educator from Orillia and former president of the Ontario Music Educators’ Association (OMEA).
After the adjudication process, Ontario’s West Coast Musicfest announced that several ensembles reached an exceptionally high standard and received official invitations to perform on the National Stage. These include the Stratford District Secondary School B100 Band, the St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School Concert Band, the Central Huron Secondary School Jazz Band, and the Central Huron Secondary School Senior Band.
Ontario’s West Coast Musicfest expressed appreciation to the Blyth Festival, the County of Huron, Central Huron Secondary School, and the Avon Maitland District School Board for their invaluable support of youth arts and music education in Huron and Perth counties.
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