Richmond Hill
November 20, 2008 11:36 PM
More than 130 young musicians from seven York Region Catholic schools had a chance to work with well-known trumpet player and conductor Bobby Herriot last weekend.
It was part of Super Saturday at the York Catholic District School Board.
The grades 9 and 10 students, who are just beginning to learn their band instruments, gathered at St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School in Richmond Hill Saturday to improve their skills and socialize with other music students.
The students worked on their playing techniques in sessions with guest conductor Bobby Herriot.
Mr. Herriot is past president of the Toronto Musicians’ Association and past vice-president from Canada of the American Federation of Musicians.
A trumpet player, he studied at the Royal Academy of Music, as well as at the Royal Military School of Music and the Canadian Forces School of Music.
Mr. Herriot played in the RCAF Band before retiring in 1971 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
His podium posts have included stints with the 7th Toronto Regiment, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band and the Hamilton Concert Band.
After their session with Mr. Herriot, students participated in master classes with specific instruction in their chosen instrument.
Practice sessions were broken up with fun games such as volleyball, dodge ball, basketball and ping pong, led by Grade 12 student volunteers.
The musical day culminated in a parent concert featuring three instrumental pieces.
This was the fourth annual Super Saturday at the York Catholic District School Board.
The musical event was sponsored by the board with support from Harknet Music and Cosmo Music, located in Richmond Hill.