South Cariboo elementary bands’ year-end concert proceeds despite 15 absent musicians | Entertainment - 100 Mile House Free Press

Fifteen musicians were unexpectedly absent from the south end elementary bands’ year-end concert, titled Jubilation, at the Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School on Thursday, June 7., as 100 Mile House Free Press reports.

Beth Munro (left), Max Kalmakoff, Dylan Pasemko and Corey Harding, all of the Mile 108 Elementary Grade 6/7 Bandband, loosen up before the start of their year-end concert.
Photo: Beth Audet

Don Bennett, music teacher and conductor of the performance, said he knew a few students were unable to attend but that the number of empty seats was a surprise. Several of missing musicians carried fairly big parts, he said.

“Some of the kids were really nervous because their bandmates were missing,” said Bennett.

He quickly added, “it’s actually a good thing,” since it shows them how important each member is to the team.

Bennett stalled the show for a few minutes, in hopes of late arrivals, but ultimately proceeded with the performance, earning a chuckle from the crowd upon admitting the empty seats were making him “a little stressed.”

The attending musicians powered through renditions of Furioso, by R. W. Smith, Drums of Corona, by M. Sweeney, Dragon Slayer, by R. Grice, Chronicles, by L. Clark, Nature’s Fury, by J. McBride, the Theme from Jurassic Park, by J. Williams, arr. M. Sweeney, Offenbach Back to Back, by J. Offenbach arr. J. Compello and a bonus performance of Ode to Joy, by Beethoven.

When the concert concluded, Bennett said he was happy with the final showing.
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Source: 100 Mile House Free Press