Letters from Recipients

Nicholas was the recipient of a professional tenor saxophone.

"Thank you very much for the saxophone. It is more than I could have asked for.

Music has always been an important part of my life. When I was a kid mu mom would sing to me, and we were always listening to something that we would both sing along with. When I was five years old she put me in piano lessons, which I did until the end of grade five. The next year I started playing the alto saxophone in the grade six band with the Dare to Dream Foundation, which was a great help to me because I would not have picked up the instrument otherwise. The next year the tenor player in our band left so I took over the instrument and fell in love with it.

At about the same time I discovered jazz music and since about grade 8 it has been my favourite genre of music. That year I was in the band program with Mr. Wen and started his jazz band, as well as doing about as many things in music as I could that year. He prepared us for and took us to Music Fest Canada in Richmond, where we won silver with both the concert and jazz band. I won the Honour Award for the jazz band that year because of a solo and a featured song I had.

The next year was the same, except that we went to the Cantando Music Festival in Edmonton. In concert band I started to play the soprano saxophone, doubling on the oboe parts because our band didn’t have an oboe player. In jazz band I again had a featured song and a soso. It was also the year I started doing private lessons with Mrs. Bos, and I won a gold metal for a solo I played in the Pacific Northwest Music Festival. I also helped with the instrument tryouts and helped with the Dare to Dream Band Camp in late August in Kitimat.

My grade ten year I did all the same things as I did in grade nine, but I started doing lessons with Paul Sammets, and played three solo pieces. Currently I am in Caledonia Senior Secondary School in my grade 11 year and am still doing as much as I can with my saxophone, I hope to carry on with music after school by studying jazz at Capilano University, and hopefully playing it for the resot of my life. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without music or my saxophone. So once again I thank you for the gift and the opportunity to continue on with my playing."

Jordan was awarded a alto sax.

"I first played the piano and I’ve continued for 5 years. I played the saxophone for 2 years and the guitar for 1. I’m thinking of still playing all of these through school and my life but nothing special with it. Just play and enjoy what I do. Like I said me and my sax will just keep on playing."

Erika was awarded a Tuba

"My name is Erika. I am a grade ten band student currently attending Skeena Junior Secondary School, here in Terrace. My teacher is Susan Brouwer, she is the best! She has informed me that you supply deserving band students with instruments. At the moment I am renting the instruments I play, and I would absolutely love to own my very own Trombone and Tuba.

Band is my passion! After graduating, I plan to attend and achieve a Bachelor in Music Studies. I seek guidance and direction from many people, and they have all suggested I start my education at the Capilano College before moving on to UVIC. My dream would be to perform on stage at the beautiful Orpheum Theatre with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. We saw a performance when we attended Music Fest Canada last spring and I greatly admired the people on stage.

I have been in Band since grade six. I currently play the Tuba for Concert Band and the Trombone for Jazz Band at Skeena. I have recently joined the Terrace Community Band, and play the Tuba for them.

When I started Band at Cassie Hall Elementary, I played the Baritone under the instruction of Daryl McDicken for two years. I maintained a grade A average in Band. After completing grade seven, I was one of only two students to receive the Band Citizenship Award.

During our transition from Cassie Hall to Skeena, Mr. McDicken and Mrs. Brouwer voiced a need for Tuba Players; Mr. McDicken suggested I try it, and that I would be very good at it. He is correct. I excel at the Tuba, and continue to maintain high marks in Band. Last year Mrs. Brouwer awarded me with a STAR Award for Band, for all my hard work and fundraising abilities; I raised the most money while fundraising. A STAR is Skeena Teachers Appreciating and Recognizing Students; we received a trophy and certificate. At the end of last year Mrs. Brouwer also awarded me with the Band Service and Citizenship Award. This year Mrs. Brouwer suggested I tutor a fellow student who is in grade 8 with Trombone lessons, another huge honor and achievement for me, because I only started playing the Trombone last year.

I can tell you now, that any instrument I own would be cherished and would not go to waste. I plan on making use of any and all instruments that come into my possession. Thank you for your time and consideration."

Thea was awarded Piano Lessons

This letter is from Anne Hill for Thea:

"I am writing this letter in strong support of Thea's application for funding assistance that would pay for a piano and lessons. As Thea’s classroom music teacher, she has come to my attention as an exceptional student who is deserving of the award for a number of reasons.

Thea is seven years old and severely autistic. Her vocabulary is extremely limited and her speech is delayed. However, Thea has developed a profound love of music, and through it she has found a way to communicate. Her mother, lacking the funds to pay for a piano and lessons, has begun to learn piano on her own in order to be able to teach Thea. [Thea's mother] has only a very small electric keyboard for Thea to practice on and only reads and plays the treble clef (not the bass clef). I have noticed that Thea is developing some bad technical habits, such as an awkward hand position and the tendency to play with one finger. As she has no piano background, [Thea's mother's] ability to continue to teach Thea is limited.

Despite these obstacles, Thea and her mother spend several hours a week playing piano together. Thea loves to perform for our music class, and I am continually impressed and amazed at her progress. She has an uncommonly good ear and an excellent sense of rhythm. However, In order to fully realize these gifts, she needs lessons with a trained piano teacher, using a full sized piano. Her family cannot affored these things.

There is a huge body of research that points to the importance of music in the development of speech and language. The ages of infancy to eight years old are the critical window of time for developing the parts of the brain that deal with speech. I feel it is crucial for Thea’s music and speech development that she begin to study music at this stage of her life."

Justin was awarded a Custom Clarinet

"Thank you very much for this excellent clarinet. It has a very nice tone, and allows me to play very high notes that were more difficult to hit before. I have gotten to play it in a few concerts now, throughout the band trip in Edmonton, and at 2 local concerts. The better tone of this new clarinet is also greatly appreciated in symphony. With whom I still have one more concert coming up. Thanks again for this wonderful clarinet, I greatly appreciate it."

Grace was awarded an alto saxophone

"First off I would just like to thank you for the saxophone. It is very much appreciated.

Music means the world to me. I love to listen to it, play it, and even watch people play it. I try to do as much music as I can fit into my schedule. If I’m not playing it, then I’m probably listening to it.I participate in a number of musical programs.

I play in the Skeena Jr. Secondary school concert band. In the concert band I play clarinet or the bassoon. I also play in the Skeena Jazz band. In the jazz band I play alto saxophone where I love to solo.

Not only do I participate at Skeena but also at Caledonia in the choir. I love to sing so I also take voice lessons.

Pacific Northwest Music Festival is a very busy time for me because I perform for concert band, jazz band, choir and my own songs for voice lessons.

This alto saxophone means a lot to me because I love my jazz band and I would like to continue playing in it. Without it, I would probably still have difficulties with my older sax.

I would like to thank you once again for the saxophone as well as your time and efforts."