The Blyth Festival Theatre was buzzing 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 love for music.
“We are grateful to the Blyth Festival for their support in providing an excellent venue for youth musicians from our Region,” said Aaron Neeb, Chair of Ontario’s West Coast Musicfest. “It’s essential for our local youth to have spaces 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 a chance to perform and be judged against a national standard. Groups that meet this high bar receive invitations to compete at the National Competition taking place this year in Niagara Falls. Each ensemble is also required to perform at least one piece by a Canadian composer.
“I think it was vital for schools to have a local option where they could present the music they’ve been practicing and share it with their peers,” said youth organizer and volunteer, Hannah Hewitt. “In many instances, bands would travel up to three hours away for a musicfest regional competition. Holding it locally makes the event 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 judging concluded, Ontario’s West Coast Musicfest announced that several ensembles achieved 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, County of Huron, Central Huron Secondary School, and Avon Maitland District School Board for their invaluable support of youth arts and music education in Huron and Perth counties.
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