The Blyth Festival Theatre was alive with music on Wednesday, March 11, as more than 180 student musicians from across the region took part in Ontario’s West Coast Musicfest.
The festival, hosted in partnership by Central Huron Secondary School and the Blyth Festival, was made possible through the County of Huron’s Supporting Local Youth Program. Students from Central Huron Secondary School, Stratford District Secondary School, St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School, and St. Michael Catholic Secondary School demonstrated their dedication and passion for music.
"We are gracious to the Blyth Festival for their support in offering an exceptional venue for youth musicians from across our Region," said Aaron Neeb, Chair of Ontario's West Coast Musicfest. "It is important for our local youth to have spaces and opportunities to perform, improve, and collaborate in Huron County.”
As an official affiliate of Musicfest Canada, Ontario’s West Coast Musicfest gives local school ensembles the chance to perform and be evaluated against a national standard. Ensembles that meet this high standard receive invitations to compete at the National Competition, which will be held this year in Niagara Falls. Each group is also required to perform at least one piece composed by a Canadian composer.
"I think it was important for schools to have a local option where they could play the music they’ve been working on and share with their peers," said youth organizer and volunteer, Hannah Hewitt. "In many cases, bands would be travelling up to three hours away to attend a musicfest regional competition. Hosting it locally makes the event more accessible."
The performances were adjudicated by experienced music professionals: Paula Ortelli, a retired Music Educator from Stratford, and Laura Lee Matthie, a retired Music Educator from Orillia and former president of the Ontario Music Educators' Association (OMEA).
Following the adjudication, Ontario's West Coast Musicfest announced that several ensembles achieved an exceptionally high standard and have earned official invitations to perform on the National Stage. These include the Stratford District Secondary School B100 Band, the St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School Concert Band, the Central Huron Secondary School Jazz Band, and the Central Huron Secondary School Senior Band.
Ontario’s West Coast Musicfest extended gratitude to the Blyth Festival, the County of Huron, Central Huron Secondary School, and the Avon Maitland District School Board for their invaluable support of youth arts and music education in Huron and Perth counties.
