TFS Musicians Perform with the Best for Ontario’s Independent Schools

On Sunday, April 18th at Roy Thomson Hall, students from both the Toronto and Mississauga campuses lifted their voices and instruments as part of the 26th Annual Conference of Independent Schools’ Music Festival. The gala performance took place in front of an audience of almost 2,000 and incorporated chorale, ensemble, band and full choir and orchestra performances by students from independent schools across Ontario.

But before our students even stepped on stage, there were rigorous auditions and intensive rehearsals to complete. In November 2009, student musicians from the Senior School travelled to Trafalgar Castle School in Whitby to try out for the prestigious event. Six TFS students were accepted into the festival: Nicholas R. and Erin Y., concert band Grades 6 -8, Brittany Y. and Hugo T., symphonic band Grades 9-10, and Anne-Merrie L. and Daniel L., wind ensemble Grades 11-12.

Joining them on performance day were 12 Grade 4 and 5 students from the Mississauga campus, who formed part of the 200-member junior choir. Like their peers from the Senior School, they spent two days just prior to the concert in rehearsals with fellow musicians from other independent schools, fine-tuning their efforts with those of the larger groups.

Their hard work and talents paid off, especially during the finale, when the wind ensemble, concert band, symphonic band, junior choir, intermediate choir and senior choir joined together to perform I Am Song, Je Suis Chanson. Composed for, and chosen in a competition, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Music Educators Association, I Am Song, Je Suis Chanson was conducted by the composer himself, Jean McKen.

Said Mississauga music teacher Julie Service, “the hall was filled with glorious sound, excited students and proud families,” while the Senior School’s music teacher Rupert Price called the event “a great way to show off our School, its talent and the TFS colours on the grand stage!”

Congratulations to all student participants and our supportive staff members.