Alberta Honour Band 2021

Six Chinook’s Edge students joined high school musicians from throughout the province at this year’s Alberta Honour Band event. The highly anticipated program was virtual this year, but students were still able to take part in online lessons with members of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

A special video was produced of the Honour Band’s premiere virtual performance:
The Standing Stones of Stenness - Alberta Virtual Band 2021

“The Chinook’s Edge students were all nominated by their teacher, so they represent the best of the best provincially,” said Kirk Wassmer, Director of Bands in Didsbury High’s music program. “The piece they performed, Standing Stones,  was commissioned especially for this group by Edmonton composer Allan Gilliland, and they also were a part of a virtual meet with him to get more insight into the music. This year's Virtual Wind Symphony turned out really well!  Although it was not at all the same experience as playing in a large group it still gave the students the opportunity to stretch themselves musically and be a part of something really exciting!”

This year’s Honour Band students from Chinook’s Edge included Zachary Taylor, grade 12 from Olds High who plays trombone (teacher is Chelsea Pederson), along with five students from Didsbury High:

Amy Black (grade 12, French horn), Mikayla Henderson (grade 11, flute), Payge Laverdiere (grade 11, bari sax), Chase Rauhala (grade 12, flute), and Kaleb Rauhala (grade 12, oboe).