Earlier this week, WM's Wind Ensemble once again brought home Gold after performing at this year's OBA MusicFest.

Entering at the Level 500, the Wind Ensemble impressed the audience and adjudicators alike with a moving rendition of H. Robert Reynolds' band arrangement of O Magnum Mysterium, a choral piece sung by the Madrigal Choir last year. Also on the program was the WM favourite, El Camino Real, Alfred Reed's exciting Latin Fantasy.

During the clinician, adjudicator and founder of the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra, Colin Clarke, gushed over the Wind Ensemble's performance of O Magnum Mysterium, saying “it was the best [he's] ever heard it played”. Credit goes to Mrs. Houghton, the director of the Wind Ensemble. Explaining the difficulties of playing a choral piece as a band piece, Colin called Mrs. Houghton a “triple threat” for her role as a great educator, band conductor, and choral conductor. Her intimate understanding of O Magnum Mysterium as a choral work was surely key to its success.

Asking for words to describe El Camino Real, Colin's response was just as encouraging. Words such as “epic”, “fiery”, and “sneaky” were all enthusiastically suggested. An exciting and challenging piece, it is certainly one of WM's favourites.

This year, trumpet player and Music Council President Timothy Mark won the music leadership award presented by the Festival on the nomination of each band's director. His dedication to his section, often holding weekly sectionals, has paid off in full with the band's successful performance.

This Gold is the second for the Wind Ensemble in the past three years, receiving a Gold in 2006 and a Silver Plus at last year's MusicFest.

With a long standing tradition of excellence, perhaps next year the Wind Ensemble will bring home Gold again – a feat not yet achieved by any WM ensemble! Regardless of the outcome, there was no denying the pride and exhilaration felt by the Wind Ensemble members as they applauded both Mrs. Houghton and Mr. Farrow for their constant dedication and hard work.

Monday Band Triumphs at Music Fest!
Seyon Vasantharajan
Grade 9 Instrumental

On February 12th Monday band set out to perform at Music Fest. The band played at level 200 music because it was a good challenge. We had practiced many long weeks to perfect our pieces and I think the students and Mr. Farrow did an excellent job practicing, and we were confident that we would do well. We had specifically practiced three pieces: Morro Bay, Reflections, and Black Watch. We left at 4’o clock on Tuesday afternoon feeling nervous and yet eager to play. Mr. Farrow warned us before we left that we might not get the place that we wanted and deserved. This was because some of our pieces were not on the syllabus and was not the grade level required. We arrived at Music Fest, and it’s true that we did have a bumpy start in the beginning of Morro Bay, but we soon got our groove and just kept on going. We also did well on reflections and Black Watch. Overall I think that Reflections was definitely our best piece simply because there was much change in dynamics and we put a lot of emotion into it. Sadly the band received a bronze plus, but we knew we played well and that’s what counted. I think we are all looking forward to the Monday Band being successful next year.