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lO-The Canadian Champion, Friday, June 11, 2004 ý.. iýc Sooi 's jazz ïane s as good as gold Iy STPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion The W.I. Dick Jazz Cats created somnething ofa feline frenzy late last month when the band took top honours at the national MusicFest competition - receiving gold - plus the respect of its fellow young Canadian musicians. "What a great experience it was," said Heather Brooks, who accompanied her son, Gregory, to the Montreal competition. "There were bands from aIl over Canada. Ours got a standing ovation - flot a single other band got that." Although chaperoning 23 grade 8 stu- dents from May 25 to 27 might flot sound like many people's idea of a good time, Ms Brooks said the kids behaved as well as tbey performed. "There were zero problems in Montrea!," she said, adding the students in the extra- curicular band are a tightly-knit group. Simply being invited to the nations] competition was a victary in itself, explained Jazz Cats director and music teacher Jeannette Wilson, wbo's naw in ber l6th year teaching at WlI. Dick Middle School. TMe students firsi competed in Februsry in St. Catharines for tbe regional MusicFesî competition, where they received a gold standing plus an invitation to the nationals. Tbe group decided tbey couldn'î pass up the opportunity and doggedly went about fundrsising for the trip. To say Ms Wilson was proud of the stu- dents' accomplishment in Montreal is an undersiatement. -l almosi didn't have to be there. they worked so bard as a team," sbe said. Ms Wilson said sbe has high expecta- tions for ail her music studenîs, and once again they didn'i disappoint ber. -l tbink tbey're capable of a lot ai this age.- Gregory Brooks, wbo plays drums with tbe Jazz Cats, said tbe fact Ms Wilson expecis 50 mucb is why tbey respect ber. -Everyone bas a lot of respect for ber." tbe 13 year old ssid, sdding, *Sbe bnings bord membors <frn row from malt Maft Kng and out tbe besi in ber students" Jen BrOn; and (bock row from MI) Todd Massaï, Both Ms Brooks and Ms Wilson want ta Silas Sham, Grog Brooks, Evan Groves and tbank tbe Milton community for ils support Simoon Shom. of tbe Jazz Cats and for making tbe tnip possible tbrougb generous donations. Photo by Stephanie Thiessen van he reached ai GRAHAM PAINE sthiesïsencdmilîonc.anadian(.hampi)n.(.om. Choristers to host Ceilidh William Sua k. s>earj FbDIRECTED BY MILES POTTER JULY i 3TH, THROUGH AUGUST 7TH' MON DAY TO SATURDAY AT 8:OOPM CORONATION PARK, OAKVILLE lâb. TICKETS: 905-815-2021 If you dont know wbat a ceilidb is, tberes only one way ta find oui. 'be popular Milton Cboristers will cele- braie 35 years of choral excellence witb a traditional Cape Breton Ceilidh ai Country Heritage Park, 8560 Tremaine Rd., June 19 ai 8 p.m. TiMe event wiIl be held in the Gamnbrel Ram and wilI feature tbe Ceilidb band Cruachan, tbe Argylishire Dancers and piper Jim Dougals, Jr. along witb the Choristers, whicb wil present welI-loved, iraditional casi coasi sangs. There will also be birthday cake, party fare, a cash bar and a silent auctian, wbich wilI be open for viewing ai 7:15 p.m. Tickets cosi $12 for adults, $10 for sen- iors and students and $8 for cbildren 12 years oid and younger. Tickets can be purehased ai Delacourî's, ai tbe corner of Main and Martin streets, and Lewiscraft ai Milton Mail. Or you can eaul (905) 876-3203 or visit WWW.Miltonchoristers.corn CH CH' THE MKIJBIEMR -à> FIOPEDAI 1< Featuring The Ceilidh band, Cruachan, The Argylishire Dancers, Piper, jim Douglas Jr The Choristers will present a few well loved, traditional east coasi songs ""A Bitlhiday Bcuah" Cape Breton Ceilidh Saturday june 19 at 8:00 pm ("newtime") (Doors open ai 7:15 pm) Gambrel Barn, Tremaine Road, Milton Includes: Birthday Cake & Party Fare, Second Silent Auction and Cash Bar Tickets: Aduit $12 Senior/Student $10 Child (12& under) $8 Tickets available at Delacourî's (Main St. Milton), Lewis Craft (Milton Mail) and Leslie Music (Oakville) or caîl (905) 876-3203 www.miltonchoristers.com :~ 'y ~Z . j-J, J,