Senior Concert Band to Perform Commissioned Piece at Spring Concert
Last summer, CDS’s new Head of Music, Larry Shields, reached out to a friend at Alfred Publishing about commissioning a song based on the school mascot – the Cyclone. As a huge proponent of Canadian content and new work – Mr. Shields felt it would serve as a fresh approach in his new role and be inspirational to our students as well.
The result was a wonderful piece called Windstorm written by Vincent Gassi, which the Senior Concert Band will perform at the upcoming Middle/Senior Spring Concert on May 16th. Mr. Shields has worked with Gassi for many years and is thrilled to report that this commissioned piece will be published to sell worldwide in September with an inscription commissioned for The Country Day School.
According to Shields, while the piece is challenging, his students are enjoying playing the work. The students were fortunate to have the composer work with them for a rehearsal in February to better understand Gassi’s concept and vision for the music.
“It starts off with the students blowing through their instruments to mimic the sound of wind, then launches into an exciting rhythmic section representing the storm. This is followed by a calmer, beautiful melodic movement, possibly depicting the eye of the storm. The work ends with the fast paced, mixed measures and rhythmic complexity demonstrated in the earlier section, ending on a very exciting note – I think people will really enjoy the experience.”
“It starts off with the students blowing through their instruments to mimic the sound of wind, then launches into an exciting rhythmic section representing the storm. This is followed by a calmer, beautiful melodic movement, possibly depicting the eye of the storm. The work ends with the fast paced, mixed measures and rhythmic complexity demonstrated in the earlier section, ending on a very exciting note – I think people will really enjoy the experience.”
The front cover of the score has a windstorm depicted on it along with the dedication to the school and Vince’s autograph. Shields plans to hang it somewhere prominent and going forward, commission a Canadian work every year for different groups in the department. He envisions eventually having all of the covers plaqued and mounted along the Music hallway.
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.
