A student orchestra is touring from Seattle to play a steel-drum music show this Sunday (June 25) at Simms Millennium Park.
The orchestra of 35 students will cover a swath of music, ranging from pop tunes to classical, according to executive director Gary Gibson. The steel-drum expert said his students have been building towards the tour since September.
“It’s a great character-building experience for the kids,” he told the Record. “The kids feel like rockstars — and they are.”
The students are part of Steel Magic Northwest’s “advanced” player group. Gibson said they go on tour for a few reasons: the experience is great, and the commitment sets a goal for students that they build towards all year.
In true rockstar fashion, the group is travelling together on a 56-passenger bus. Also on the journey is a cargo trailer from Seattle.
“Every cubic inch of that trailer is full of stuff,” said Gibson of the 24-footer.
Students practise an entire school year to learn the music, he said. The group gets together twice a week for an hour each, with some songs having been on the docket since September.
Pan Wizards Steel Orchestra focused their June tour around a show in Victoria, where they’ll play at the Ska and Reggae Festival in the capital’s downtown inner harbour. Courtenay is the furthest north the orchestra will tour on Vancouver Island.
Past shows from the orchestra have seen hits like “September” by Earth Wind and Fire, and the theme of Ghostbusters.
The Courtenay show is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 25 at Simms Millennium Park.
ALSO: Stealing Dan will be ‘Reelin’ In the Years’ at Simms Park on June 18
hr width=“75%”>
connor.mcdowell@comoxvalleyrecord.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.