THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TWO CAMPBELLFORD STUDENTS IN NATIONAL ALL-STAR BAND

For the first time ever, Campbellford District High School has two representatives in the national all-star band.

Jennilee Harley, 19, and Peter Irwin, 16, both trumpet players in the CDHS Senior Jazz Ensemble, were selected as two of the best high school players in Canada. They will spend a week in May in Vancouver, BC, rehearsing under Juno Award-winning Director Hugh Fraser and then they will perform with the 20-piece all-star band in front of an audience of 5,000 people at the closing ceremonies of this year’s national Musicfest Canada festival.

As part of the intense all-star schedule, Harley and Irwin will develop their musical skills by taking part in workshops and master classes with some of Canada’s top musicians, including Campbell Ryga, Ken Lister, and Mike Herriott. They will also attend concerts by Rob McConnell and the Humber College Faculty Big Band and others.

The all-star band will present a full evening showcase concert on Saturday, May 19 at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.

Competition for spots in the all-star group is intense. Musicians are chosen by a panel of adjudicators appointed by Musicfest Canada and Yamaha Canada Music Limited (the band’s corporate sponsor). Only four other musicians were selected from .

“This is an incredible honour,” says CDHS Music Teacher Dave Noble. “I’m very proud of Jennilee and Peter. They have both shown incredible leadership and commitment. They are true team players and both have become very fine musicians.”

It’s an honour for CDHS too. “To see Campbellford represented twice when and have two musicians each is pretty amazing,” says Noble. “It’s an indication of the level of musicianship in our bands. We have some wonderful young musicians. If you get a chance, please come out and hear them.”

CDHS students have been selected to national all-star groups nine times in the last 10 years, but never have two been selected in any one year.

Three music groups from CDHS are traveling to BC for the nationals. The school’s Senior and Junior Jazz Ensembles and the Jazz Combo all earned gold awards at the Southern Ontario Regionals in February. A regional gold award earns an invitation to the nationals, where 10,000 students gather from the top music schools across Canada to perform, attend clinics and enjoy concerts. CDHS music groups are hosting their 8th Annual Hospital Benefit Concert at the 400-seat Stirling Theatre on April 14, featuring Canadian music superstar Jeff Healey. Tickets are almost sold out. CDHS musicians have raised over $10,000 to support Campbellford Memorial Hospital in this annual fundraiser.

Next up is the Nationals Send-Off Concert on May 10 at St. John’s United Church in Campbellford.

CDHS Music is generously sponsored by Scott Drummond GM in Campbellford.

The 2007 Yamaha Canada All-Star Band:

Saxophone

Shane Beeaton Burnaby, BC Taylor Cook Naramata, BC Daniel Seto Vancouver, BC Eli Bennett Vancouver, BC Nico Rhodes Nanaimo, BC

Trumpet

Jennilee Harley Campbellford, ON Niall Harvey Comox, BC Peter Irwin Campbellford, ON Kelsey Roden Nanaimo, BC Robert Stewart Qualicum Beach, BC

Trombone

Kyla Campbell Qualicum Beach, BC Katie Harper Aldergrove, BC Derek Rushton Qualicum Beach, BC Eric Cathcart Ottawa, ON

Piano

Paul Morrison Winfield, BC

Guitar Tom Fleming Toronto, ON

Upright & Electric Bass

Blake Martin Ottawa, ON

Percussion

Adam Arruda Toronto, ON Efa Etorma Edmonton, AB

CONTACT:

Mina Murphy, Principal, Campbellford District High School 705-653-3060

Dave Noble, Music Teacher, Campbellford District High School 705-653-3060 [email protected]