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I rise today to recognize and congratulate St. James’
Regional High School Band on becoming the recipients of
the Gold Standard of Performance Award for their
performance at MusicFest Canada, held at Toronto on May
13 of this year.
MusicFest Canada is a national competition for high
school concert bands, orchestras, jazz bands and choral
groups. The event is by invitation only, and the band
earned the invitation while performing at the Atlantic
Band Festival in Halifax last year. They were the only
concert band from Newfoundland and Labrador, and were
playing in the same lineup as much larger bands from
schools across Canada.
The fifteen-member band was directed by Dr. Ann Marie
Lane, who was hired in 2006 to build a music program at
St. James’ Regional High in Port aux Basques. When Dr.
Lane arrived at the school there was not even a
designated music room and the school had two out-of-tune
pianos, some broken drums and a few interested high
school students. In 2007, Dr. Lane was given permission
to purchase twenty instruments and start a school band.
It is amazing what she and her students have
accomplished in this short period of time.
At Musicfest Canada, St. James’ High School Band
performed a version of Danny Boy – I am sure our
Premier would be proud – which was adapted
specifically for their instrumentation; When the Stains
Go Marching In and Declaration and Dance.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this House to join
with me in extending congratulations to Dr. Ann Marie
Lane and the St. James’ Regional High School Band on
receiving this prestigious Gold Standard of Performance
Award.
Thank you. |
