A VERY SUCCESSFUL BAND TOUR

Last year's Band Tour to Vancouver Island went extremely well!  The weather was surprisingly beautiful, all performances went very well, the students had a great time, and they represented our school like professionals.  I heard back from many of our venues, and they loved our students.  They especially commented on their behaviour and cheerful attitudes wherever we went.  We can all be very proud of them.

30 band students went, donning their new uniforms and performing at four Christian Schools (Nanaimo, Duncan, Nanoose Bay, Campbell River), two church services (Nanaimo), and at University of Victoria.

Since we were away during Victoria Day weekend, the students had fun in Victoria, shopping, taking in the Victoria Day parade, and going to the Royal BC Museum (and IMAX).  They also had fun swimming in Nanaimo's ocean and at the Aquatic Centre, watching fireworks from our hotel rooms, eating out together, hanging out (and sleeping) in a gymnasium, spending time with host families, and meeting new friends at various Christian Schools.

They also learned a lot as they worked together setting up concerts, packing the truck, and performing in various venues with challenging stage sizes.  The most educational aspect of this tour was our time at the University of Victoria.  Dr. Steven Capaldo worked with our band to improve practice habits, blend, balance, texture, and a variety of other rehearsal techniques.

Finally, one of the biggest contributions to the success of this tour was our chaperone and bus driver.  Karen Zacharias was our chaperone.  I really appreciated her work organizing, shopping, travelling with the students on the bus, teaching students how to iron clothes, and many other unforeseen things.  Our bus driver was Bill Murray.  He, and his son, Billy got along with the students terrifically, and his flexibility and patience made the tour stress-free.

The island is a very beautiful place to tour, and we received warm welcomes by everyone.  Our school community can be very proud of our Band students.  On this tour, they were truly excellent representatives, and a joy to be around.

Photos are still coming, so keep checking back!