Senior Jazz Band to Perform Commissioned Piece at Spring Concert
On Tuesday, the Senior Jazz Band participated in a workshop with Canadian Composer and Trombonist, Christian Overton. Christian has composed a piece called "The Lady of the Lake" specifically for our Senior Jazz Band and worked with our students on refining it. This piece will be performed for the first time at our MS/SS Spring Concert on Thursday, May 15th. Another reason to get your tickets!
As one of the most in demand trombonists and composers in Toronto, Christian can be found in every scene from jazz and rock to salsa, R&B, theatre work and everything in between. He earned his undergraduate degree from Humber College where he studied with some of the nation’s top jazz musicians and masters at the University of Toronto, and is currently on the faculty of both alma maters.
Christian’s list of Jazz and Non-Jazz collaborations is impressive. He is musical director of the Composers Collective Big Band and The Christian Overton Quintet, and has also composed for several television projects as well as commissions for visits by Ranee Lee and Dave Douglas, and for countless jazz and chamber groups.
He was nominated for a 2017 Juno award for “Sweet Canadiana” by award-winning Jazz musician Jens Lindemann, who performed at CDS in 2023, and the Order of Canada Band and in 2021 and 2024 with The Carn Davidson 9. Christian also played on the 2023 Juno Award Winning Album “Cry Me A River” with Hilario Duran and his The Lady of the Lake is inspired by the legendary figure from the King Arthur stories—the mysterious Lady of the Lake.
The music begins in a beautifully lyrical, almost haunting way, setting the mood and drawing us into her world. Then, things take a turn—shifting into a powerful Afro-Cuban groove that really drives the piece forward. What’s especially unique in this piece is the vocal part. It’s not a traditional vocal solo—it’s written to be part of the ensemble itself, blending in like another instrument and adding a whole new layer of colour.
During Tuesday’s workshop, Christian worked with each section of the band to deconstruct their sound, breath support and timing so as to ensure that their debut of “The Lady of the Lake” goes off without a hitch. His playful and encouraging nature worked wonders and the Senior Jazz Band cannot wait to debut this piece for you on May 15th!
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
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
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.
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.
