ST-FRANCIS-XAVIER BAND SENDS CHILLS
The St. Francis Xavier (St. F.X.) Senior Concert Band’s performance on Thursday, January 15
The St. Francis Xavier (St. F.X.) Senior Concert Band’s performance on Thursday, January 15, sent chills through the audience as they played a few very poignant pieces along with some fun stuff at their 20th annual winter concert. Band director Stephen Pankiewicz led just about 100 grade 10 to 12 students along some very challenging and enjoyable music to the enchantment of the audience, at the Optimiste Performance Hall in Rockland, January 15.
“They’re such great kids,” said Pankiewicz. “They are so passionate about the music.” In the lineup, the students took on the challenge of playing James Barnes’ Trail of Tears, in dedication to more than 4000 Native Americans who lost their lives in 1838 and 1839, due to Andrew Jackson’s Indian removal policy, forcing the Cherokee nation to give up their lands east of the Mississippi River and migrate to present day Oklahoma. Chills verberated through the audience as the students sang in the Cherokee language; ‘Let us mourn those who have died, let us mourn those who are dying, let us mourn those who must still endure.’
The band played a rock medley, movie favorites, and a few dance tunes. Grade 8 student Christian Ouimet headed up a ‘jam session’ with sidekicks grade 11 students, Andrew Wilson and Ryan Mackay, much to the audience’s enjoyment.
The audience was once again chilled to the band’s rendition of Samuel R. Hazo’s Our Yesterdays Lengthen Like Shadows, in memory of Pankiewicz’s mother, Erika Pankiewicz, who passed away in December.
The audience screamed with delight as the evening finished off with a Party Dance Mix and a surprise dance performance by grade 11 students, Jamie France and Will Louis.
Playing several selections with the band was Melissa Gaudreault, who gave thumbs up to an awesome night. Gaudreault, who is autistic, loves music and is very involved in the rehearsals and concerts.
Funds raised during the concert go to- ward keeping the music program alive and well at St. F.X. High School. Several students, over the years, have gone on to have careers in music. “Josh Britnell went on to be a professional clarinettist,” said Louise LeClair, art and English teacher at St. F.X. “Several have gone on to become music teachers: Kyle Doucet and Brian Burns went on to become music teachers. They graduated with Josh.” Brian Burns is an occasional music teacher at St. F.X.
Marc Laroche, a graduate of St. F.X. and former student of Pankiewicz, teaches the grade 7/8 Intermediate band. A few students in the senior band plan to continue their education in the field of music. Grade 12 student Zoé Dumas is planning on attending the University of Ottawa in the music program. “I want to compose for solo flute,” said Dumas. “It would be really cool to be in the National Arts Centre.”
Grade 11 student John Kenny is planning a future playing jazz. “I want to study jazz in college,” said Kenney. “I want to be a performer. Jazz is my favourite kind of music. That’s all I want to play.”