Two local students selected for National Youth Band of Canada

Olivia and Alex

Chippewa Secondary School
Media Release

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Two Chippewa Secondary School students have been selected to play in two of Canada’s top National Youth Bands. Olivia Shortt, a grade 12 student will be traveling coast to coast to play her baritone saxophone in the National Youth Band of Canada in Nova Scotia in April and in the MusicFest Canada National Concert Band in British Columbia later in May. Alex Espinosa, a grade 11 student who plays the alto saxophone, will join Olivia in British Columbia.

The National Youth Band of Canada is the most comprehensive music education project offered to the youth of Canada. The main focus of the project is to provide an opportunity for young musicians to work with a professional conductor and soloist, and to share and demonstrate their musical creativity. It serves as a forum to showcase and develop the talent of Canada’s youth while promoting a lifelong interest in music and the other arts.

The MusicFest Canada National Concert Band is the premier honour concert band in Canada. The musical ensemble is comprised of 60 members from across Canada who, after successful application, converge for a week of music education, history and celebration. During their week, these students develop their musical talent, technique and skill while being immersed in peer workshops and master classes with clinicians from across North America.

The selection process is extraordinarily competitive for both these bands and previous members of the band have been awarded major scholarships and gone on to receive international recognition!

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