To most other students, the month of February involves relief and relaxation, for it marks the cessation of the exam period. But for the dedicated and diligent students of Woburn Music, the month of February involves hard work, perseverance, and a drive to succeed.

This month, almost all of Woburn Music's bands and choirs will be attending a provincial festival. The ensembles of Woburn Music will attend the Ontario Band Association's Musicfest, an annual event that is held at Le Parc Hotel. The participation in this festival involves a performance which is adjudicated by notable professors and dignitaries in the musical world, followed by a clinic held by one of the adjudicators. It is during these clinics that the instrumentalists are often complimented on their playing, and are also shown how they can improve their performances.

Woburn's ensembles have had a very successful history at this event, having achieved high levels of excellence. Woburn's Monday Band, who will attend Musicfest on February 10th achieved a bronze standing the previous year. The Wind Ensemble, who plans to attend on February 12th achieved a gold standing last year and will attempt to create WM history by achieving a second gold standing this year. Last year, the Wind Ensemble's conductor, Mrs. Houghton, also received a Conductor's Excellence Award, another example of musical brilliance at Woburn. Similarly, the Senior Jazz Band (who will attend on February 17th), achieved an excellent silver standing during their last appearance at the festival. Good luck to all of our ensembles!

For the vocalists out there, a festival very similar to Musicfest does occur, and it is duly named the Ontario Vocal Festival. As can be inferred, this is a provincial festival for school choirs. The choirs undergo the same routine, a performance followed by a clinic led by a notable and renowned musician. This year, Woburn's Concert and Madrigal Choirs will attend OVF on February 27th. Woburn has always preserved their high reputation for producing a beautiful vocal sound and their attentiveness to detail, as they are led by Mrs. Houghton, a natural vocal director. Good luck to the Concert Choir and Madrigal Choir during their time at OVF!

A major part of the Grade 12 instrumental music course is the Independent Study Unit, which can either be a performance or seminar. The Grade 12s have the choice of performing select classical pieces, or conducting a seminar and research paper on a musician, a certain style of music, or a certain composition. This year, we have approximately five performances, which will be heard during a recital held on February 24th, for which the audience will include the senior instrumental class (Grade 11/12). Relatives of performers are encouraged to attend as well. The seminars will take place during class time both before and after the recital date. Check back after the 24th for pictures of the Grade 12 ISU Recital.

It is clear that the students of Woburn Music have a challenging month ahead of them, and I wish them luck in their endeavours. I must also remind any younger members of the Woburn Music community of the importance of choosing music as a course on bubble day. Woburn Music has had a long-standing tradition of excellence and we hope to continue to provide and expand such a wonderful program. However, we can't do it without YOU. For more information on the benefits of choosing music as a course, visit www.woburnmusic.com/choose.