NOVEMBER VOL: 02

MARKHAM MUSIC 2016/17

What's Happening?REMEMBERANCE 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.

Featured UpcomingMarkham Fair...............................2

Gr.9 Music Retreat.......................4

Guest Conductors........................6

Megaband Benefit Concert..........7

Get in touch: www.mdhsmusic.ca/

youtube.com/MDHSmusic

Les Miserables...........................7

We Scare For Hunger.................8

Honour Band...............................8

facebook.com/MDHSmusic

markhammusic@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!

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"It was really nice spending aday with all my friends at theFair, enjoying the festivities,all the food, and of course,the great music”

- Jordan Fung

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"Being back at Markham Fair was both an exciting and nostalgicexperience for me. It was so much fun to be back and performing

and when we started playing, we caught everyone's attention.Moments like that are really special, being able to draw people in

through music. It was also a little bit nostalgic because it was mylast Markham Fair performance, but I think overall it was verysuccessful and a good memory that I will look back at whenthinking of my grade 12 year"

- Sarah Eng

“The Markham Fair was the

perfect way to start off

another year of music, as it

was a more relaxed setting and

the music featured pieces that

everyone enjoyed.”

- Helen Chen

From 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.

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GR. 9 MUSIC RETREAT

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“It was a great experience. Not only did Ilearn about my instrument, but I learned

about different ways to give back to peoplein my community. I never stopped smiling,and I would consider it two of the best

days of my life.”

- Khyla

On 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.

On September 30th, the Grade 10 Wind Symphonyspent their Friday afternoon with amazing guest

conductor, Bill Thomas. Mr. Thomas is the Chair ofthe Department of Music and conductor of the York

University Wind Symphony. He has served on theboard of the Ontario Music Educators’ Association

and is much in demand as an adjudicator andclinician. He was the Department Head at Markham

District High School for along time, and wasawarded an Ontario Band Association award for

conducting excellence in 2008. Our Grade 10 WindSymphony had an awesome time working with this

fantastic conductor.

Brenda Uchimaru

Bill Thomas

GUEST CONDUCTORS

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BENEFIT CONCERT

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On 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 the

opportunity to perform at the beautiful historicCentral Presbyterian in Cambridge on Saturday

December 3rd as part of the Upper Canada Chorusperformance of Les Misérables. Over 1000 young

musicians are performing in this extraordinary event,which will include the Upper Canada Chorus, Toronto

Pops Orchestra, select “Les Misérables” castmembers and conductor Brian Rawlins.

The 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

WE SCARE FOR HUNGER

HONOUR BAND

Hunger 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!

MDHS Participants:

McCallum 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.

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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)

Josh 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)

Guy 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 with

many Canadian and US orchestras as both trumpet andpiano soloist, remains a committed chamber artist in

ensembles guy and nadina, Bellows and Brass, Project Ariaand the Few Mara duo, and has been a guest at many

summer festivals including The Festival of the Sound,Scotiafest, The Ottawa Chamber Festival, Tanglewood,

Takefu International Music Festival and The Oregon BachFestival.

Guy Few

Wendy McCallum