For the first time Sooke music students have received three invitations to attend the Nationals at Musicfest Canada in Richmond from May 14-16.
Journey middle and Edward Milne community schools have students in the band and strings program and they won at the Regionals in Port Alberni thus earning an invitation to the Nationals.
All of the music students are busy out in the community fundraising so they can attend. They are selling Purdy’s chocolates in front of Village and Western Foods, as well as Shoppers Drug Mart. There is a metal recycling bin at Saseenos, Krispy Kreme donuts are being sold and bottle drives and bake sales add to the efforts.
“There will be about 45 students going and this is the first time Sooke has ever had three invitations to the Nationals. For us here in Sooke it’s quite an accomplishment,” said Lorna Bjorklund, musical director for the band and strings programs.
The cost to send the students to the Nationals in Richmond is $350/student.
“Get our Sooke Youth to the Podium” is the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra’s rallying cry.
To help with the fundraising, the SPO Society is matching any donations made to the band/strings students. For every $50+ a donor gets a complimentary Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra concert ticket and a tax receipt.
Anyone who wishes to donate can send a cheque made payable to Journey Middle School and mail to: Sooke Academy of Music, 3781 Phillips Road, Sooke, B.C. V9Z 1K7.