Musical Magic at Loon Lake Retreat

Whether you’re rocking to pop, articulating raps or enjoying symphonies, music is an essential part of our lives. We tap our toes to the radio or sing in the shower to demonstrate these spurts of musical bliss. Over the weekend, WPGA’s Orchestra and Concert Band escaped the bustling buzz of the city by traveling to Loon Lake to enrich our musical talents and enjoy an awesome weekend with teachers, friends, and special guests. 

With a bus filled with eager grade 8s, enthusiastic grade 9s and keen grade 10s, we set off for our adventure! After a two-hour bus ride, we made it to the beautiful campus of Loon Lake. After settling into our rooms and a hearty meal, the band began a rehearsal with Mr. Elmer. We warmed up by playing variations of chords and challenging rhythm structures to sharpen our minds. During rehearsal, we polished our skill on our three concert tunes: Dedicatory Overture, Yorkshire Ballad, and Chasing Sunlight. 

After breakfast the next day, we prepared for rehearsal with the enthusiastic Dr. Morris. As he entered, the band sat straighter, listening intently to his encouraging words. He guided us through each piece, breaking them down and adding small adjustments that made a big difference. We learned the power of phrasing, dynamics and tone, all stemming from our breath. Dr. Morris demonstrated this by buzzing the melody, showing us how our breath tells a story. Even without an instrument, we could hear how his example captured the essence of each tune. The band applied this knowledge, which created a new feeling in our music. Despite absences due to Tech Week, everyone worked hard to support the soloist, as Dr. Morris emphasized.

After a quick lunch, the Band returned with special guests, masters of their respective instruments. Each clinician helped improve the band on a personal level. These clinicians came prepared whether it be printouts or a spirit of enthusiasm to teach us with patience and vigour. Despite their small numbers, woodwinds practiced breathing and polished their parts and skills. Brass expanded their range while pitch and percussion developed greater skills of subdivision and rhythm. By improving each individual section and even individual instrument, the band came together to play as one harmonious unit. 

Later that Saturday, the band returned with more knowledge and confidence for one final rehearsal with Dr. Morris. As we began playing, you could hear the impact these clinicians had on each individual section. We ended the night with a roar of applause for one another.  

With both band and orchestra spending hours of work to improve, the rest of the night was dedicated to recreation. Everyone enjoyed popcorn and candy and enjoyed the movie The Wild Robot. Others played charades amidst laughter and memories.  

As the last morning dawned, we packed our bags, ready to return home but not before a special concert. The band got to see the orchestra perform and vice versa. Through this mini performance, we could all see the improvements made and the dedication put forth by each of the students, teachers and special guests, which all worked together to enhance our musical performance. 

At its core, this trip hoped to improve musical talent; however, I am certain that the relationships made and memories formed will have just as great an impact on each of these young, talented, and now more knowledgeable musicians.