GPV Band 6 - 8
Welcome to the Georges P. Vanier Junior High School Band Program.
Our director is Ms. Meg Ferguson (she/her/elle) and she has taught instrumental music with HRCE for more than 25 years, at GPV since 2020. Contact info: FergusonM@hrce.ca.
We have band classes in grades 6, 7, and 8, as well as extra-curricular ensembles to enrich students' music education, such as jazz band, tour band, and percussion ensemble.
Final Concert & Awards
Congratulations to our musicians and celebrity artists, alike!
All of our musical ensembles performed to a packed house. Grade 6 Band was thrilled to have Mr. Pat Healey from the Fall River Laker guest conduct and the Grade 8s were pleased to invite Mme Peverill to the percussion section! Way to go, everyone!
Final Concert & Awards Night
The final concert and awards night has been rescheduled from June 1 to Thursday June 8th.
Looking forward to hearing all the terrific work our young musicians have accomplished this year, as well as honour those who stand out as dedicated musicians and outstanding leaders in our program. Many awards are peer-nominated, others chosen by the music director.
Spoiler alert: There may even be a guest conductor at the show!
Senior Band Trip to Fredericton, NB a Great Success!
The Senior Band had a terrific musical journey to Fredericton where we performed with George St Junior High School, had a workshop with Mr. Hugh Kennedy, and a concert with Fredericton Concert and Marching Band at Fredericton High School. Thanks to all those who help make the excursion a possibility!! <3
We have a new logo:
In preparation for our senior band trip, we have a new logo that will be part of our casual uniform: navy blue tshirt with the logo.
See photo of bandies above.
Tour Band earns GOLD at Atlantic Festicals of Music
Congratulations to the Tour Band & members of our Percussion Ensemble who participated at the Atlantic Festivals of Music April 26th in Halifax at Mount St. Vincent University. We were thrilled to have a workshop with Dr. Mark Hopkins from Acadia University after our performance.
Music for a Winter's Eve Dec 2022
What a wonderful evening for students to share with famlies how far they have progressed since our last concert in June. We were so pleased to have the Lockview High School Jazz Band join us - thank you Mrs. Burtt! Grade 6 band played in their first full GPV concert, Percussion Ensemble performed an original work, Jazz Band featured a solo by Megan Hart, Grade 8 Band highlighted Ukranian culture with "Carol of the Bells," Grade 7 Band delighted the audience with "Skye Boat Song," and the whole evening was kicked off by a joint effort from Tour Band & Senior Band with an opening fanfare called, "Joy!" Congrats to all!
Fundraising Auction
Thank you for your incredible support of our Fundraising Auction that took place in December, 2022! We had a grand time and raised over $3,000 for our Senior Band Trip that is taking place in May, 2023.
First Annual Fall Craft Fair
Our school gymnasium was filled with local, talented craftspeople and their various products on Friday Nov 4 and again Saturday Nov 5. Thank you to those who dropped in to support local + student vendors! This fundraiser went toward our Grade 8 Band Trip.
Thank you to Pat Healey and the Laker News who reported on our event. Link to article.
Beginner Band Camp 2022
What an incredible experience for our beginners to be taught by professionals of their instrument at our first Beginner Band Camp that took place Saturday October 15th. Students had about a month's worth of instruction in one day!
Clinicians included Melanie Rozee, Christina Muise, Leslie Smith, Andrea Schofield, Jill Oxford, Jamie LeBlanc, Dina Burtt, Joe Cormier, Nathan Beeler, and Tom Cuming. Huge thanks to the grade 7 & 8 band students who volunteered to set up, be guides, and put everything away afterward.
Extra Curricular Ensembles 2022 are underway!
Jazz Band Tuesdays after school
Tour Band Wednesdays before school
Percussion Ensemble Wednesdays after school
Music Leadership Roles 2022 have been chosen
About Ms. Ferguson (she/her/elle)
Born + raised in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Ms. Ferguson graduated from Acadia University with both music and music education degrees. Her first public education post was at A.J. Smeltzer Junior High School (along with its feeder schools) in Lower Sackville and so she decided to stay in Nova Scotia, settling in H.R.M. She is thrilled to be teaching 100% music/band at Georges P Vanier and looking forward to getting to know the Fall River community.