Chatham high school concert band wins gold at national competition

Source: Lambton-Kent District School Board.

A Chatham high school has won gold at the MusicFest Canada Nationals.

The John McGregor Secondary School (JMSS) Concert Band performed in Niagara Falls in the competition on May 11. They were among 8,000 other students from across Canada.

Many of the students had not even played an instrument before joining the band three years ago.

“During my first year, every student enrolled in a music class was taught how to play an instrument,” said Curtis Clarke, who directed the 26-person ensemble.

“Going from not being able to play any instruments to winning gold at the national level in just three years is such an incredible accomplishment for the students at JMSS.”

The concert band only formed last year. This year, it earned a Silver Plus rating at MusicFest Windsor, which allowed them to continue on to the national level.

Three pieces were played at MusicFest Canada, as well as a one-hour adjudication session that featured sight-reading a new piece of music with no preparation.

“The students worked so hard for this. I’m incredibly proud of them,” said Clarke.