Audience members were entertained by concert band music at the Pembina Hills Powerband 2018, hosted by Barrhead Composite High School on May 7.
In addition to Grade 8 and 9 concert bands from BCHS and R.F. Staples, the Joe Saumer Big Band performed and Real Country 97.9 radio hosts Matt Jemmett and Mark Cappis presented BCHS with a $4,000 donation. Music teacher Kerri-lee Kostiw said the event was part of ‘Music Monday’ — a national event held across the country’ in all of its schools in tribute and celebration of music programs.
“This was our sixth annual Pembina Hills Powerband and the second time that we’ve had [the Joe Saumer Big Band] with us. It’s great for the kids because it shows them that seasoned musicians can play for as long as they like, because it doesn’t matter how old you are,” she said.
For his part, Jemmett agreed.
“I got into radio because of music. I had a band program in my school and even though I didn’t follow through with it, there are a lot of fun times from that period associated with band that I remember fondly. Music is a big part of my life and always has been,” Jemmett said, adding Newcap Radio makes a similar donation every year to different schools in the province and the country.
Co-worker Cappis said it was a grant from the federal government for music development.
“[Jemmett] is a big city boy who benefited from a good music program, but I grew up in a small town called Entwhistle and in grade 5, my school had to scrap its own program due to budget cuts,” Cappis said, noting he is proud to work for a company that gives back to the arts like this.
