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Try holding a tune to these two

Two Kwalikum Secondary students chosen to join musical super group
6873parksvilleKSSJulianTelfer-Wan2011
Kyle Gorenko is one of two local students honoured with a spot in the group.

If there was ever any doubts about the quality of the Kwalikum Secondary School music program, they were likely put to rest when Kyle Gorenko and Julian Telfer-Wan picked up their instruments recently in Vancouver.

The two Grade 11 students played The Cellar jazz club on Oct. 21 and 22 as part of the B.C. Music Educators Association Honour group, made up of some of the province’s best young musicians. The group toured across B.C. and the Yukon, performing in communities around the province and territory.

Gorenko played electric guitar, accompanying the Honour Vocal Jazz Group, and Telfer-Wan played trombone in the Honour Jazz Band.

“Essentially, these are all-star groups for high school music students,” said Dave Stewart, head of the music department at KSS. “It is an honour to be chosen, but it is a lot of work for the students.”

Students make two four day trips to the Lower Mainland and take several days off school to join the practices, and must catch up on their academic studies.

A highlight of the trip was a gig at The Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver.

Andy Telfer, the parent of one of the two and a member of the KSS Music Parents Committee, said the pair being chosen says a lot about the quality of the music program at the high school.

“Not only did these two make it through the audition, but there were others who were close,” he said, noting the pair were the only students chosen from District 69 to take part.

The two boys have recently formed a jazz combo with other Qualicum Beach high school music students. The group is booking performances to help fund their May high school trip to Music Fest Canada in Ottawa.

To book the group contact them through Kwalikum Secondary School.