NOVEMBER - MARKHAM MUSIC 2016/17

NOVEMBER VOL: 02What's Happening?MARKHAM MUSIC2016/17REMEMBERANCE DAYEvery November, those of us in Markham Music reflect upon thebravery of the soldiers that proudly served our country. In orderto pay our respects for our veterans, we take a moment orsilence to remember the sacrifices that were made for us. OnNovember 5, the Grade 12 Wind Symphony will be playing at theVeteran’s Hall to honour the fallen with songs such as O Canada,Abide By Me, and a variety of traditional hymns. Megaband andChamber Choir will perform at Markham District High School’sRemembrance Day assembly, on November 11.FeaturedUpcomingMarkham Fair.2Les Miserables.7Gr.9 Music Retreat.4We Scare For Hunger.8Guest Conductors.6Honour Band.8Megaband Benefit Concert.7Get in be.com/MDHSmusicmarkhammusic@gmail.com

MARKHAM FAIROur Mega Band had an amazing performance at the Markham Fairon September 30th! They performed songs such as “The Lion KingMedley”, “Of Sea and Song”, and “Travelin’ Music”, which resonatedwell with our enthusiastic audience. Mega Band had various guestconductors, such as Dennis Beck as well as our very own Mrs.Caswell and Mr. Harrison! This performance was the perfect leadinto the new musical school year and we’re excited to see what’s instore for this year’s Mega Band!"It was really nicespending aday withall my friends at thFair, enjoyeing the festivitieall the fos,od, and ofcourse,the greatmusic”- JordanFung2

"Being backat MarkhamFair was boexperience foth an excitinr me. It wag and nostas so muchlgicand when wfun to be backe started pand performlaying, we caMoments likingught everyoe that arene's attentioreally specithrough mun.al, being absic. It wasle to drawalso a littlepeoplast Markhaleinbit nostalgicm Fair perfobecause itrmance, butwassuccessfulmyI think overand a goodall it was vmemory theryat I will loothinking ofk back at wmy grade 12henyear"- Sarah Engs theam Fair wahkraMeh“Tffto start oyawtcferpeitf music, asoraeyreanothanded settingxlaererowas a mpieces thatderutafethe musicnjoyed.”everyone en- Helen Che3

GR. 9 MUSIC RETREATFrom amazing clinicians, to a hilarious magicshow, this year's Grade 9 Music Retreat was ahuge success. We reached almost 100%attendance from our amazing Grade 9’s! Newfriendships and amazing music were just two ofthe many things gotten out of the Music Retreat.4

“It was a great experience. Not only did Ilearn about my instrument, but I learnedabout different ways to give back to peoplein my community. I never stopped smiling,and I would consider it two of the bestdays of my life.”- Khyla5

GUEST CONDUCTORSBrenda UchimaruOn October 12, Chamber Choir was fortunate towork with guest conductor, Brenda Uchimaru. Ms.Uchimaru was a University of Toronto Graduate,and has been working as a school teacher,department head and music consultant for over 37years with many school boards including York,Hamilton and Waterloo. There are many vocalfestivals where she is a clinician, guest conductorand adjudicator. She is also on the Board of theOntario Vocal Festival, is the Music Course Directorfor the Ontario Education Leadership Centre, andteaches the Summer Vocal Additional QualificationCourse at OISE for the University of Toronto.Chamber Choir had an amazing time working withthis amazing mentor.Bill ThomasOn September 30th, the Grade 10 Wind Symphonyspent their Friday afternoon with amazing guestconductor, Bill Thomas. Mr. Thomas is the Chair ofthe Department of Music and conductor of the YorkUniversity Wind Symphony. He has served on theboard of the Ontario Music Educators’ Associationand is much in demand as an adjudicator andclinician. He was the Department Head at MarkhamDistrict High School for along time, and wasawarded an Ontario Band Association award forconducting excellence in 2008. Our Grade 10 WindSymphony had an awesome time working with thisfantastic conductor.6

BENEFIT CONCERTOn Wednesday October 26, the MDHSMegaband performed at the MarkhamTheatre alongside Bur Oak S.S., MarkvilleS.S., Unionville HS, and Pierre ElliotTrudeau HS. The concert was put on tohelp raise funds for the youth mentalhealth sector in Markham StouffvilleHospital. The night consisted of variouschamber ensembles from all thedifferent schools, including our very ownMDHS Senior Brass Quintet and SeniorFlute Quartet. Megaband performedthree outstanding pieces calledStormchasers, Suo-Gan, and Belly Dance.CHOIR OPPORTUNITYThe MDHS Chamber Choir has been blessed with theopportunity to perform at the beautiful historicCentral Presbyterian in Cambridge on SaturdayDecember 3rd as part of the Upper Canada Chorusperformance of Les Misérables. Over 1000 youngmusicians are performing in this extraordinary event,which will include the Upper Canada Chorus, TorontoPops Orchestra, select “Les Misérables” castmembers and conductor Brian Rawlins.7

WE SCARE FOR HUNGERHunger makes life harder for millions offamilies across North America, even inMarkham. This year the grade nine musicstudents at MDHS have a chance toparticipate in the annual food drive contest,recently renewed as the We Scare Hungerinitiative. Classes will compete against eachother in intense food drive, to see who canbring in the most food. Last year we wereable to donate over 1000 pounds of food forMarkham Food Bank and we hope to beat ourrecord this year. The food collected throughthe food drive will fuels the hopes anddreams of families who rely on food banksevery day. At MDHS, We Scare Hunger!HONOUR BANDThe Ontario Band Association invited everyhigh school student to audition for the 14thannual Ontario Provincial Honour Band. 65 ofthe province's high school musicians (manyof them being our very own) have beenselected to take part in an intensive four daysof music making. The experience includes ourrehearsal camp, concerts and the annualperformance at the Ontario Music Educators'Association conference. These musicians willhave the opportunity to work with arenounced conductor, Dr. Wendy McCallumand the Yamaha featured artist, Guy Few.Experience8

Guy FewGuy Few’s instrumental versatility and fearlessinterpretations have been noted by the international press,"outrageous.simply phenomenal" (Le Devoir, Montreal)and “sheer brilliance” (L.A. Times). He has performed withmany Canadian and US orchestras as both trumpet andpiano soloist, remains a committed chamber artist inensembles guy and nadina, Bellows and Brass, Project Ariaand the Few Mara duo, and has been a guest at manysummer festivals including The Festival of the Sound,Scotiafest, The Ottawa Chamber Festival, Tanglewood,Takefu International Music Festival and The Oregon BachFestival.Wendy McCallumMcCallum holds the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor ofEducation degrees from Brandon University and completed aMaster of Music in Instrumental Conducting at the Universityof North Dakota with Gordon Brock and James Popejoy. Shereceived her Doctor of Musical Arts from the University ofNorth Texas where she served as a Doctoral ConductingAssociate and Teaching Fellow in the Wind StudiesDepartment with Eugene Migliaro Corporon. She completedher cognate studies in Music Education with Deborah Rohwerand Darhyl Ramsey.MDHS Participants:Kabir Birdi (Flute)Rachel Snelgrove (Flute)Daniel Mok (Oboe)Mila Gorchkova (Bassoon)Enoch Wong (Clarinet)Serena Alli (Bass Clarinet)Elizabeth Heaton (Bass Clarinet)Randy Su (Tenor Sax)Amy Tippin (Bari Sax)Christina Dickson (Trumpet)Jaya Dickson (Trumpet)Josh Elson (Trumpet)Cameron Mark (French Horn)Aron Markandaier (French Horn)Christina Dickson (Trumpet)Jaya Dickson (Trumpet)9Josh Elson (Trumpet)Cameron Mark (French Horn)Aron Markandaier (French Horn)Connor Chandran (Trombone)Vanessa Ng (Trombone)Emily Sharp (Trombone)Tyler Lam (Percussion)Carina Qiao (Percussion)Jordan Fung (Sting Bass)

Ontario Vocal Festival, is the Music Course Director for the Ontario Education Leadership Centre, and teaches the Summer Vocal Additional Qualification Course at OISE for the University of Toronto. Chamber Choir had an amazing time working with this amazing mentor. On September 30th, the Grade 10 Wind Symphony