Gift of Music Concerts are a true gift to young musicians

Last year the High River Catholic Fine Arts Parents Association began purchasing tickets for every student in band classes to attend one concert in the High River Gift of Music Concert Series.  This means students at Notre Dame are able to go to some incredibly high calibre musical performances at no extra cost, an experience that is unique to Notre Dame Collegiate's Fine Arts programs.  It is a true gift that the Fine Arts Parents Association has given our students, and we are extremely thankful for their support.

Your student has selected their performance night from one of the following;

• 7:30 PM, October 3, 2015 - Mari-Josée Lord, Soprano
• 7:30 PM, December 11, 2015 - Calmus Christmas Concert, Vocal Quintet
• 3:00 PM, January 31, 2016 - Anne-Julie Caron on marimba, Akiko Tominaga on piano
• 3:00 PM, March 6, 2016 - Ian Parker, piano
• 3:00 PM, April 23, 2016 - Young Musicians Extraordinaire: Marie Coetzee on cello, Angela Ryu on violin

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This concert season is titled "The Joy of Music", a perfect theme for the second year of our school division's 3-year plan titled "A Joyful Journey".  It also helps our students explore the Responding aspect of musicking, an essential part of a musical experience.

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How this looks for NDC Students

You will receive an email reminder before the performance your student signed up to attend.  Your student needs to show up at least 30 minutes prior to the performance to the High River United Church.  Upon their arrival they will receive their ticket from me, and they will be asked to volunteer on a simple task such as handing out concert programs, putting out intermission snacks, or similar activities.

Your student is not expected to sit as a class.  They can enjoy the performances in whichever manner they wish, so long as they are engaged with the music in a manner appropriate for the intentions of the performer.

Parents are not required to attend, but are invited to join us by purchasing their own tickets either online at http://www.highrivergiftofmusic.com or in person at either the High River United Church or at Highwood Natural Foods.  Mr. Windsor and one other adult will be in attendance at every concert, so an adult supervisor can be counted on.

​The concerts tend to last anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours, but tends to also include one intermission in the middle.  Families will need to arrange for their student transport from home to the High River United Church and back again, Mr. Windsor will be unable to provide that transport.

In the week following the performance, students are expected to complete a Responding assignment.  Students will receive an assignment that is appropriate for the concert they attended, so not all students will receive the exact same assignment.  Students can find their assignment on Google Classroom.

These tickets come to your students as a free gift, performances include displays of incredible musicianship far beyond what would normally be experienced in a community our size, and their attendance can impact their mark.  As such, please ensure that your student understands the expectation that they make attending their selected concert a priority.  Students are expected only to attend one of these performances, but are of course encouraged to purchase tickets on their own for additional performances.

​We are very pleased to be able to offer this incredible opportunity to our students.  Should you have any questions, as always, please feel free to contact me at jwindsor@redeemer.ab.ca.