Close to 450 Peel District School Board students in grades 3 to 12 will perform at the seventh annual Peel Music Showcase on May 7 at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga. The students, representing 67 schools, have been grouped together to create three choirs, two concert bands, a jazz ensemble, string orchestra and world drumming ensemble. In addition to performing music from different cultures in various styles and languages, the students will join students from across Canada in the performance of Tomorrow is Coming, a song composed by Luke Doucet to mark Music Monday in Canada.
“Students, families, teachers and volunteers have all spent countless hours in preparation for this annual event. This year the showcase date was selected to coincide with Music Monday, an event that celebrates music as a universal language that crosses all borders,” says Kelly Dever, instructional co-ordinator for the Arts, and Health and Physical Education. “We’re delighted our students can showcase their talents in such a world-class venue and we’re exceptionally grateful to the Living Arts Centre for their continued support.”
Preparation for the event began in November with auditions. More than 40 Peel board music teachers have lent their expertise to prepare students for the showcase. Guest conductors include Dr. Mark Sirett, composer and founding artistic director of Cantible Choirs, Dr. Mark Hopkins, associate professor, director of Wind Music Studies at Acadia University and Jennifer Kurtz, assistant curriculum leader and strings director of music at Humberside Collegiate Institute in Etobicoke.
The showcase starts at 7 p.m. General admission tickets will be available for purchase for $10 through the Living Arts Centre box office. The Living Arts Centre is located at 4141 Living Arts Drive in Mississauga.
