KSS Senior Jazz Band to MusicFest Canada
Donation protected
WHY SUPPORT US?
We are a senior jazz band of 25 grade 10-12 students in a school with a history of producing some of the most outstanding groups and individual musicians in the country. Kwalikum Secondary School (KSS) is a public school with 700 students in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. We believe that the musical magic we create together is a result of our love and acceptance of one another, our genuine enthusiasm for playing music together, and our drive to excel both as a group and individually. We are down-to-earth, full of heart and free of ego. Most of all, we have a tremendous amount of fun!
Within our group are some of the most significantly outstanding individual musicians in the country. These ‘stars’, however, all see themselves as equal to everyone else and, as a result, their exceptional leadership and mentorship inspires all of us to be the best we can be. Our musical family, teachers and students alike all work synergistically to create a culture and community based on musical excellence and mutual respect.
WHAT IS MUSICFEST CANADA?
The biggest high-school music event each year is Ottawa’s MusicFest Canada. This is an “invitation only” event where our nation’s outstanding musicians come together in an environment of learning and interaction, to celebrate their excellence in musical performance. KSS musicians have been invited as a result of their award-winning performances (see them playing Hunting Wabbits ) at the Surrey Jazz Festival this year. They have also been invited to perform at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival in June.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
The cost to attend this event for 25 students will be $1650 per student, for a total of $41,050. The deadline is May 3rd, 2019.
Donations to KSS music program are fully tax-deductible through our registered non-profit, charitable organization, the KSS Fine Arts Society, when paid by cheque. Please contact us by email if you would prefer to support us via cheque or etransfer.
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT
This group of KSS students are the very people we need more of in our future. Their ‘face-time’ is in real time, creating meaning and magic through connecting with one another and their shared love of playing music together. The KSS Senior Jazz Band and Jazz Combos thank you in advance for your support and belief in them.
A note of support -
I am a graduate of the KSS music program. I’ve enjoyed a successful musical career of over 30 years, performing on hundreds of recordings and for audiences in over 40 countries around the world. Since I graduated in 1983, the music program at KSS has been recognized repeatedly at the regional and national level for producing some of the most outstanding groups and individual musicians in the country. For much of that time I have had the immense pleasure and privilege to act as a mentor to many of the young musicians in the program.
I can say, without fear of contradiction, that the current crop of students at KSS is simply remarkable. They are like a great sports team that has found the perfect balance of high-scoring stars and reliable role players who always find a way to get the job done. Watching these kids interact with each other reaffirms my faith in humanity and witnessing their performances has, quite literally, brought me to tears.
I can’t speak highly enough of the hard work and dedication shown by the students, their teachers, and the parents who support their kids and the program. If ever there was an undertaking worthy of support this is it, and that’s why I have been, and will continue to be, a vigorous advocate for the program.
Phil Dwyer C.M., J.D.
Phil Dwyer is an internationally recognized saxophonist, pianist, composer, arranger, producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and educator. He is a Member of the Order of Canada, an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Conservatory of Music, and has performed on 11 Juno Award-winning recordings. He is a resident of Qualicum Beach and currently practices law in Nanaimo, while still finding time to perform, record, and teach music.
We are a senior jazz band of 25 grade 10-12 students in a school with a history of producing some of the most outstanding groups and individual musicians in the country. Kwalikum Secondary School (KSS) is a public school with 700 students in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. We believe that the musical magic we create together is a result of our love and acceptance of one another, our genuine enthusiasm for playing music together, and our drive to excel both as a group and individually. We are down-to-earth, full of heart and free of ego. Most of all, we have a tremendous amount of fun!
Within our group are some of the most significantly outstanding individual musicians in the country. These ‘stars’, however, all see themselves as equal to everyone else and, as a result, their exceptional leadership and mentorship inspires all of us to be the best we can be. Our musical family, teachers and students alike all work synergistically to create a culture and community based on musical excellence and mutual respect.
WHAT IS MUSICFEST CANADA?
The biggest high-school music event each year is Ottawa’s MusicFest Canada. This is an “invitation only” event where our nation’s outstanding musicians come together in an environment of learning and interaction, to celebrate their excellence in musical performance. KSS musicians have been invited as a result of their award-winning performances (see them playing Hunting Wabbits ) at the Surrey Jazz Festival this year. They have also been invited to perform at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival in June.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
The cost to attend this event for 25 students will be $1650 per student, for a total of $41,050. The deadline is May 3rd, 2019.
Donations to KSS music program are fully tax-deductible through our registered non-profit, charitable organization, the KSS Fine Arts Society, when paid by cheque. Please contact us by email if you would prefer to support us via cheque or etransfer.
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT
This group of KSS students are the very people we need more of in our future. Their ‘face-time’ is in real time, creating meaning and magic through connecting with one another and their shared love of playing music together. The KSS Senior Jazz Band and Jazz Combos thank you in advance for your support and belief in them.
A note of support -
I am a graduate of the KSS music program. I’ve enjoyed a successful musical career of over 30 years, performing on hundreds of recordings and for audiences in over 40 countries around the world. Since I graduated in 1983, the music program at KSS has been recognized repeatedly at the regional and national level for producing some of the most outstanding groups and individual musicians in the country. For much of that time I have had the immense pleasure and privilege to act as a mentor to many of the young musicians in the program.
I can say, without fear of contradiction, that the current crop of students at KSS is simply remarkable. They are like a great sports team that has found the perfect balance of high-scoring stars and reliable role players who always find a way to get the job done. Watching these kids interact with each other reaffirms my faith in humanity and witnessing their performances has, quite literally, brought me to tears.
I can’t speak highly enough of the hard work and dedication shown by the students, their teachers, and the parents who support their kids and the program. If ever there was an undertaking worthy of support this is it, and that’s why I have been, and will continue to be, a vigorous advocate for the program.
Phil Dwyer C.M., J.D.
Phil Dwyer is an internationally recognized saxophonist, pianist, composer, arranger, producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and educator. He is a Member of the Order of Canada, an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Conservatory of Music, and has performed on 11 Juno Award-winning recordings. He is a resident of Qualicum Beach and currently practices law in Nanaimo, while still finding time to perform, record, and teach music.
Fundraising team: KSS Senior Jazz Band (2)
Sarah Hill David
Organizer
Qualicum Beach, BC
Diane Kellas
Beneficiary
Erin Plank
Team member