Immaculate Conception CES musicians earn gold at Kiwanis Music Festival

The Immaculate Conception Catholic Elementary School bands were very excited to earn a gold level at the recent Peterborough Kiwanis Music Festival.

This year, both the Grade 5 to 8 concert band and the Grade 8 wind ensemble competed, and both groups achieved this highest performance standard.

The bands were adjudicated by clinician, instructor, and performer John Kraus, who also shared a short lesson with each group.

Thanks to a 2013 MusiCounts Band Aid grant, Immaculate Conception CES was able to purchase a class set of wind instruments, and students in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 now have the opportunity to learn to play flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone and saxophone as part of their music program.

The program has been under the direction of school music teacher Lauren Hill since its inception four years ago. This is the first year that a gold standing has been achieved.

The students are looking forward to making their Kiwanis success a yearly tradition.