By Charles Lefebvre

Irvine School band students showcase what they’ve learned

May 31, 2018 | 3:35 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Band students at Irvine School were able to showcase how far they’ve progressed on their instruments since January.

The students took part in a workshop Thursday morning at the Esplanade, alongside band students from Parkside School. The workshop was part of Kaleidoscope, the Prairie Rose School Division’s annual showcase of the arts.

The band program in Irvine was suspended four years ago after the band teacher was transferred to another school. Both schools were able to offer band to students following a partnership between Prairie Rose and Medicine Hat College. Mark Ward, an instructor at the college, has been teaching at both schools since January.

“We’re happy to get both of those programs running, and we’re looking forward to expanding them next year,” said Ward, noting the Parkside School band performed for the first time during the school’s Arts Night on Wednesday.

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Medicine Hat College holding event for missing and murdered Indigenous women awareness day

Apr 16, 2024

The workshop saw the bands work with Tiffany Molin, the band teacher at Seven Persons School, on ways they can further improve their playing.

“They’ll be working on tone production and rhythm and articulation, all of the basic parts of playing band instruments,” said Ward.

With several months of practice under their belts, Ward says he’s impressed with the improvement of the students in the band

“It’s always amazing to me,” he said. “I’m watching it, and seeing them gain skills and confidence, and it’s always exciting to see where they’ve come in that limited amount of time.”

Ward says he’ll begin recruiting students to grow the bands at both schools and keep building the program.

He’s also hoping to have them perform on stage at Kaleidoscope next year.