Student musicians from across our entire school board are gearing up for one of the most important performances of their young lives.

“The competition just causes you to go into a mindset that you have never experienced before and it’s absolutely life changing,” said Lindsey Renaud, a Grade 11 student who plays the flute and will compete in MusicFest Windsor 2019, which takes place March 4-6 at the Capitol Theatre. “You go to MusicFest not only to better yourself as a musician, but as a person.” 

MusicFest is a non-profit event that promotes and celebrates creativity through artistic expression, community engagement and musical leadership. A variety of concert and jazz bands from seven WECDSB secondary schools will participate in the festival. 

While many student athletes are competing to move on to provincial championships, student musicians say MusicFest is their equivalent of going for SWOSSAA or OFSAA finals. Those student musicians who perform well enough get the opportunity to advance to the MusicFest nationals, which will be held at various locations in Ottawa in May. 

“The goal of the festival to enhance and promote a lifelong love and interest in music,” said Grant Bergeron, a music teacher at St. Anne who also sits on the festival organizing committee. 

Check out a great video showcasing some of our student musicians and teachers: