Brandon students join forces for day of music making

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This article was published 03/10/2016 (3469 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A day of music, mentorship and collaboration between high school students and university students began with one simple message: turn off your cellphones.

With technology and social media bombarding us constantly, organizers of Band 101 — A Day of Music Making believed it was important to focus on mental and physical wellness as part of the day of music making.

“We’re finding that technology makes people more sedentary. It’s known that devices are actually really causing a stress on mental health because of the immediacy and because of the ways that it can be used almost negatively,” said Wendy McCallum, associate professor of music at Brandon University.

McCallum, along with Brandon School Division band directors Anna Penno and Meaghan Walker, organized the event, which brought out approximately 200 band students in grades 9-12, as well as more than 50 School of Music students.

“This is a day of music making, this is a day about being present,” McCallum said. “What I hope … is that they understand the importance of the mentorship and the leadership and of being present with the people they’re with because that is a real struggle for all of us.”

The day began with the high school students observing the Brandon University Symphonic Band rehearse in the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, which Grade 12 trumpet player Michael Wenham found particularly interesting.

“It’s pretty cool because we don’t usually get to sit and watch one of their rehearsals,” he said. “It’s cool to hear how they actually work through learning pieces and stuff like that.”

Students then broke off into sectionals with instrument-specific repertoire, where university students led small ensemble work.

“It gives our students the opportunity to just be immersed in their instrument, which they never really get the opportunity to do at school because it’s always full band,” said Walker, band director at Vincent Massey High School. “This is a really great opportunity for them to just be immersed in that sound.”

Part of the morning was dedicated to health and wellness presentations, which included speakers on mental health and the importance of physical movement. Olympic gymnast Isabela Onyshko was a guest speaker at the event, where she spoke to the students about working to pursue your dreams.

Building relationships and collaborating with other musicians was another main focus of the day.

“It is so inspiring for them to get a chance to not only hear, but make music alongside somebody who’s got just a few more years experience than them, and they can really shape their vision of what is possible for themselves by having that opportunity,” said Penno, band director at Crocus Plains and Neelin high schools.

The teachers wanted to show the students that a passion for music can lead to viable career.

“Often when they think of musicianship, they know K-12, and then a lot of students don’t know where to go after Grade 12,” Walker said, adding she hopes Band 101 opened their eyes to realize they can continue playing after high school.

“We want kids to know that there is an opportunity for further growth.”

Avery Walker, a Grade 10 student at Vincent Massey, is considering pursuing a career in music.

“I’ve actually considered maybe going on to try to come to (Brandon University) and go to school,” she said, adding maybe a career as a band director is in her future.

Leila Robinson, a Grade 10 student at Neelin who plays the trombone, said she was looking forward to getting tips from the university students.

“I really want to get some more good advice on playing or things I could do better,” Robinson said, adding she is also looking at music as a potential career option.

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