Making Christmas wishes is a practice every kid takes part in at this time of the year and the band students in Sooke are wishing for the community’s support in their fundraising efforts.
Music students from Journey middle school and Edward Milne community school are banding together (no pun intended) to fundraise for a regional and national competition next spring. This is an opportunity for these students to compete, which is pretty unusual considering that just a few years ago there was no band program at any of the local schools.
Musical instructor Lorna Bjorklund was instrumental in getting the program started again in the schools and now the students can be heard practicing hard to make a joyful noise.
The students have been practicing on their instruments to get ready for a community concert on Monday, Dec. 17 at EMCS. They will combine their talents with members of the Sooke Philharmonic, the 848 Squadron Air Cadet Band, Ecole Poirier elementary ensembles and the Sooke Community Choir.
“Scrooge” will host the concert with music from Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future.
The event will feature a raffle, bake sale, refreshments and a 50/50 draw.
The students pleaded with Santa to get the word out about their entertaining and truly magical concert.
Christmas Through the Ages begins at 7 p.m. on Dec. 17 at the Edward Milne community theatre, 6218 Sooke Road.
Tickets are available at the door. Adults $10, children $5.
The band programs, which currently have 100 students enrolled, have been a growing success.
According to Bjorklund and EMCS band director Melissa Edwards, the development of music programs is to keep music in Sooke, and develop a feeder program for students. The two bands will be performing together at the MusicFest Canada semi-finals in Port Alberni in April.