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Parksville student jazz band to nationals

Ballenas Secondary School’s (BSS) Jazz program has once again been invited to attend the Nationals (Musicfest Canada) thanks to their exceptional performances at the West Coast Jazz Fest.
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The Ballenas Secondary School Jazz program is holding a fundraiser concert tomorrow to help pay for their trip to Nationals next month.

Ballenas Secondary School’s (BSS) Jazz program has once again been invited to attend the Nationals (Musicfest Canada) thanks to their exceptional performances at the West Coast Jazz Fest. Musicfest Canada is a prestigious event where the finest school ensembles in the nation are represented.

“We’re quite excited about featuring our kids at Musicfest Canada this year in Richmond,” said Rick Robson, music director at BSS. “It’s a real thrill for the kids to hear other groups and hopefully take away a lot of fun memories and some new friends.”

Although BSS has a long list of invitations to the Nationals, they often decline going due the expense of traveling to the East Coast of Canada, Robson said. This year, however, it is being held close to home, so the students are holding a fundraiser concert this Wednesday (tomorrow) to help pay for the trip to the mainland.

The concert will feature both junior and senior jazz bands, as well as Bard to Broadway’s Glee to Be vocal ensemble, a group of BSS graduate students led by Matthew Carter and a group combo from Vancouver Island University including professional musician and trumpet teacher Greg Bush.

Ticket holders will also get to try some handcrafted sweets by Galloping Gourmet, Glannotti Cakes and Pastries and Coastal Cake Company. There will also be door prizes and raffles.

The concert takes place at BSS on April 20 in the multipurpose room at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 from Cranky Dog Music and Island Exposures, both in Parksville.

Nationals take place in May this year.