Barrhead is coming alive with the sound of big band music.
It is hoped the sound will grow and grow as students fill their hearts with the joy of playing in an ensemble.
Helping to make this happen is new band director Kerri-Lee Kostiw, who has brought her experience as a school band performer, a choral teacher and a festival adjudicator to her latest challenge.
Her work at Barrhead Composite High School is already under way. Go by the concert hall this month and you may well hear the percussive, toe-tapping rhythms of “It’s A Long Way To Tipperary” or the wailing chords of the folk hymn “Amazing Grace.”
Musicians are learning to play some old classics for the Remembrance Day ceremonies on Nov. 11.
For Kostiw, the months ahead will be part of a “building year” for the BCHS band program. She hopes more and more youngsters will join the musical adventure and gain a sense of pride and belonging.
In the longer term, Kostiw plans to develop jazz and choral programs, offering a richer and more varied experience.
Last Tuesday, Kostiw and BCHS received a boost to the tune of $4,000, thanks to Alberta’s Newcap Radio. The money will be used to replace instruments, such as baritones and euphoniums.
“Some of our lower brass instruments are getting quite old and they cost a fair amount of money,” said Kostiw.
Newcap Radio Alberta North West Division Program Director Rob Alexander and the Range’s Shawn Coffey and Matt Puhl went to the school to present the cheque to Kostiw during a break in band practice.
Alexander said the money reflected Newcap Radio’s commitment to Canadian Talent Development.
“We believe very strongly in the importance of music education,” said Alexander.
Kostiw said she knew nothing about the money until she received a phone call from 97.9 Range station manager Wray Betts.
“I was delighted, of course,” she said. “The money is really appreciated.”
Kostiw was hired amid concern about low band enrolment numbers, including only 20 grade 8 and 9 students.
BCHS principal David Garbutt is confident the school has the right person for the job.
Kostiw’s resume includes being hired by Pembina Hills School Division as band director for Westlock’s R.F. Staples School, where she added jazz band and choral music to the program and took ensembles to Vancouver, Ottawa and Cuba.
In 1997, Kostiw received a Master Teacher Award from PHRD for excellence in teaching. Recently she has taught band and elementary music in Fawcett, Jarvie and Clyde.
