Friendships Forged at CISMF Result in Unofficial Inter School Band
One of the best ways to make new friends is through doing something you love, whether that be joining a club, playing a sport or instrument, or trying something new.
Every year our music students experience this firsthand while preparing for the student music festival (CISMF) held at Roy Thomson Hall in April. With more than 1100 student musicians from 32 independent schools across Ontario in attendance, the odds are high they will meet kindred spirits from other schools throughout the week leading up to the concert.
Three CDS students experienced this when they befriended a group of students from Branksome Hall, Pickering and St. Andrew’s College while preparing noodles during one of their breaks.
Following the concert, the new friends decided to form a band as an excuse to meet up on the weekends. They had the makings for a rhythm section and started practicing several times a week. Music ranged from Latin to Jazz.
According to trumpet player Felix Zhang ’24, “CISMF was the best experience I’ve had in a long time.” He had performed as a student in Grades 6 and 7, but missed the next three years due to COVID. The excitement of gathering once again in Grade 11, in addition to making new friends from other schools, was a definite highlight.
The new friends came together for social visits and band practice throughout the summer and have started offering to perform at various events, including a recent SickKids charity event a few weeks ago.
The 10-piece band affectionately call themselves “The Nutters” and feature CDS students Felix, Jesse Novik ’24 and Alex Wang ’24. They are performing in two concerts this weekend, and will be playing in the Di Ciano Atrium in advance of next Thursday’s Middle & Senior School Music Night from 6:15 – 6:45pm … a great excuse to arrive early!
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
