NORQUAY — Another example of the apple not falling far from the tree can be seen at Norquay where a student played in an honour band, echoing a feat accomplished by his mother, who sang with the Regina Symphony Orchestra in May.
“It was a good experience and good to meet other people from around Saskatchewan who, like me, like playing good music,” Brody Nelson said after having performed as a member of the Saskatchewan Junior North Honour Band in Saskatoon on Nov. 5.
The 13-year-old Grade 8 student at Norquay School was one of about 55 students in the Honour Band, which is an initiative of the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association (SMEA).
Some didn’t make it because of the storm, and a few more were added last minute, said his mother Candice. They practiced at Aden Bowman Collegiate Nov. 3 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and then needed to be at the Lakeview Church for dress rehearsal and pictures by 12:45 p.m. The concert was at 4:30 p.m.
Organizers nearly cancelled the concert because of the incoming storm, Candice said. “It was pretty icy leaving after the concert.”
The band played four songs under the direction of Jennifer Switzer: March of the Arachnids from the Grand Suite by R.D. Standridge; Bloom by Cait Nishimura; There Will Come Soft Rains by Robert Sheldon; and Loki, the Evil Trickster of Asgard by Kevin Kaisershot.
In the concert, Brody played timpani, suspended symbol, and claves.
The concert was recorded and will be available on maxTV Local and on demand in SD and HD (channels 48 and/or 348) in the music category once the concert is reviewed and edited, as well as on the SMEA YouTube page, Candice said.
The students were provided with the music in September, but really only had less than 20 hours of playing together before the concert, she said.
“Saturday was the best because we ran through all the songs without stopping and I knew this was going to be ‘sick,’” Brody said. “It was a tiring weekend, but all the hard work paid off.”
Brody thanked Nathan Seghers, instructor of the Timberline Band of which Nelson is a member, for having nominated him.
“I would totally do that again, and hopefully next time the weather won’t suck and Mr. Seghers won’t get stuck at home and miss out,” he said. “Ha.”
