The St. Joseph's Morrow Park (SJMP) music program, under the direction of Manuel Bermitt, has been busy at work this year creating opportunities for students to share the gift of music in many different communities.
Early in the school year, senior music students visited 10 different elementary schools, providing a unique and interactive concert for students of all ages. This "Music as Storytelling" show included music from different countries, prompts for the audience to share their thoughts, and a chance for volunteers to play along with the band. For the seniors, it was a wonderful way to give back to the same communities in which they grew up. Last week, SJMP hosted over 400 students from these same schools for a free matinee showing of their annual spring concert, which had a theme of video game, anime, and cartoon music, much to the delight of the students.
Building community has been a focus for the school this year, and the music program has opened its doors to welcome bands from all over Canada to share the gift of music. Early in May, Sir Robert Borden HS, from Ottawa, made its last stop of their music tour across Canada at SJMP for a music workshop with a renowned clinician. Music council students prepared the welcome party and had the chance to get to know their guests and play alongside them during the workshop. Just a few days later, Fort Richmond Collegiate, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, stopped by for a joint rehearsal and meet-and-greet. Grade 9 students from SJMP performed their greatest hits for their guests and later had the amazing opportunity to learn so much from this multi-award-winning talented group of students as they rehearsed for MusicFest Nationals.
This upcoming Saturday, June 8, the St. Joseph's Morrow Park Senior Band will be special guest artists in the Northdale Concert Band spring show: A Cultural Kaleidoscope. The Northdale Concert Band consists of adult musicians from all walks of life and has been a source of joy and community building for decades in the Willowdale/Scarborough area. The concert will take place at the Salvation Army Citadel and promises to be a real treat for all in attendance.
