DIDSBURY - The Didsbury High School (DHS) band has embarked on a weeklong trip to Quebec over the spring break. The band will be visiting Quebec City and Montreal, where they will be participating in the Rhythms International Music Festival.
DHS band instructor Kirk Wassmer said this will be the first time the band has travelled to Quebec. There will be 50 students and 19 chaperones travelling.
"We will be going to experience the culture of Eastern Canada and to participate in the Rhythms International Music Festival," said Wassmer. "In addition to the festival we will be working with composer and conductor Jonathan Dagenais at McGill University. We're currently preparing one of his compositions for him to rehearse with the ensemble.
"We will also be doing a public concert at the Cathedral of Holy Trinity in Quebec City. This is the first Anglican cathedral built outside of the British Isles and dates back to 1800."
The students will get a chance to visit several historic sites including the Pointe-A-Calliere Museum, Notre Dame Basilica, Old Montreal, the Underground City, St. Joseph Oratory and the Montreal Museum of Fine Art, all in Montreal. In Quebec City they will get the chance to visit a maple sugar house, the Plains of Abraham, Old Quebec City, Museum of Civilization, the Beaupre Coast and take part in a spooky evening ghost walking tour.
Wassmer said the band is doing very well this year having performed at a number of concerts in the area including the recent Olds and District Kiwanis Music Festival.
"We're having another great year of music at DHS!" he said. "We have a concert coming up on Thursday, May 3 with special guest Global Drums from the University of Lethbridge. Global Drums are an exciting, extremely talented ensemble who have travelled the world learning about various styles of percussion.
"I am thrilled that they are bringing their show to Didsbury. Last time they came the performance was sold out so I encourage everyone to buy their tickets early to avoid disappointment."
