Fifteen band students from Kipling and area were part of Music in the Park in conjunction with Kipling鈥檚 town-wide garage sale on July 17.
The Kipling Band Parents Association organized most of the event, especially the barbecued hamburger and hotdog lunch.
鈥淭hey asked if I thought I could get a group of band students together,鈥� explains band teacher Bonnie Dash.
鈥淲e could try having some buskers,鈥� suggested Dash. 鈥淭hey thought that was a good idea.鈥�
The Band Parents Association likes involving the kids in the fundraisers because the money goes towards their trips.
Some of the funds raised will go towards the band trips next year. For the seniors, it will be to Banff, Alta., although the intermediate and junior bands will also be doing a trip which is yet to be determined.
鈥淭he kids that came to play thought it was fun,鈥� says Dash. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not serious鈥t鈥檚 just for fun.鈥�
Most of the kids didn鈥檛 know what busking was but once they realized how it works they thought 鈥淲ow, this is great.鈥�
The wind wreaked havoc for part of the morning with it blowing around the music sheets. The crowd who showed up were delighted to have a burger in the park while listening to some tunes from the local band students.
Some of the students made their way to Main Street to busk for donations and thought it was kind of cool to get cash for performing a tune.
The groups are quite big now. There鈥檚 over 70 seniors and over 70 intermediates when they all get together.
鈥淥ur band program grew through the pandemic,鈥� says Dash.
Band allows students a chance to practise emotions, fine motor skills, discipline, rigor and persistence. Students get to learn skills needed in today鈥檚 workplace: critical thinking, teamwork, leadership and social skills. Students in band learn so much more than music. They learn self-discipline, team skills, goal setting and work ethic.
Kate Lowenberger, president of the Kipling Band Parents Association, comments:
鈥淲e made approximately $1,300 from both the barbecue lunch and the students鈥� busking for donations. I was amazed. It was awesome.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檒l change it up next year so it鈥檚 closer to the end of the school year to include all the band students. We鈥檒l make it a real concert for the public and have a barbecue again in conjunction with it.鈥�
Band enhances creative thinking and is an enriching creative outlet. It allows expression without words.
Band 鈥� it鈥檚 a team where everyone wins and no one is ever on the bench.
鈥淥ur band teacher, Mrs. Dash, is amazing,鈥� says Lowenberger. 鈥淪he is phenomenal and so talented.鈥�
鈥淪he has built this program so much. I think we have the best band program in southeast Saskatchewan.鈥�
鈥淪he finds the kids鈥� strengths and she has a unique way of getting everything she can out of the students. She has a gift.鈥�
鈥淭he students are so lucky to have Mrs. Dash!鈥�
The Kipling Band Parents Association will once again be starting up their 50/50 fundraiser with tickets available starting in September, with the draw being made at the Christmas band concert.
The trip to Banff for the seniors was supposed to take place last year but had to be cancelled due to COVID.
鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to get back to reality,鈥� says Lowenberger.
