For some in Campbellford, the news that their high school’s top jazz ensemble won the school’s 24th national gold award since 1998 at Musicfest Canada in Vancouver last week seems ho-hum, almost expected.
But for those in the know, this was an incredibly special year. “This is musically and stylistically the best band we’ve ever had at CDHS,” says Dave Noble. “And that says something because we’ve had some great bands.”
The group didn’t just win the national gold award. It blew away the adjudicators. The band’s top soloist won one of the top scholarships in the festival. The excitement was palpable.
Brian Lillos, professor at Humber College in Toronto, one of North America’s top contemporary music schools, broke from tradition and took time after the performance to explain to the audience how remarkable the performance had been.
“Wow. What’s going on at your school is really special,” said Lillos. “It’s so nice to hear this. What a treat for us. This band speaks the language. They get it. Great repertoire. Great teaching. Great work by everybody. What a pleasure. Thank you so much. I had goose bumps.”
Lillos said he had been looking forward to Campbellford’s performance and “they did not disappoint.” He said he is continually astonished at what is happening musically at the small rural school.
Lillos also said alto saxophonist Adam Finley was “the best soloist (I’ve) heard at the nationals. Fantastic alto playing. Fantastic.” Finley later won a $1,500 scholarship and a music leadership award.
Accolades also came from the director of the music program at Humber College, Denny Christianson, and from BC pianist Bob Rebagliati, who said the group was “really excellent all around.”
The CDHS Senior Jazz Ensemble played a set of all Ellington music, including Everyday I Have the Blues, Prelude to a Kiss, and Feet Bone.
In a post-performance clinic, Rebagliati said he felt the band had “stumped the adjudicators”, the ultimate compliment. “There really isn’t much to say except ‘wow’ and ‘yeah’,” he said.
Campbellford’s Junior Jazz Ensemble also performed at the nationals, earning a silver award. Director Michelle Noble said she was pleased with the performance, especially considering the group is very young, with several students who had never played an instrument before this year.
Peter Crate, tenor saxophonist with the CDHS Junior Jazz Ensemble, also won a music leadership award.
Musicfest Canada is North America’s largest student music festival. Almost half a million students perform in regional festivals to try to earn the right to perform at the national level. Ten thousand of Canada’s finest musicians travelled to Vancouver, BC to perform for recognition as the country’s foremost musical ensembles.
CDHS Music is very generously sponsored by Scott Drummond GM in Campbellford.
