A high school choir in Coquitlam is back home after scooping top awards at the Cantando Music Festival in Whistler.
Last weekend, the vocal jazz ensemble at Centennial Secondary School — under the baton of Jessica Edwards — won the adjudicators’ picks, as well as a performance before 1,500 attendees at the Whistler Conference Centre.
Of the 90-plus groups that took part in the festival, only three ensembles were selected for the finale.
“This achievement is particularly significant as it's been years since Centennial Secondary participated in such a prestigious event, let alone receive such high regards from the adjudicators at the festival,” Edwards told the Tri-City News.
The Centennial Secondary junior and senior concert bands and the jazz band were also at the event.
The Cantando Music Festival is a three-day non-competitive gathering for North American music programs to boost their skills and network; there is also a fest in Edmonton.
Meanwhile, student musicians in School District 43 will perform Monday, May 6, at Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to mark Music Monday.
The annual celebration is organized locally by the Coquitlam Music Teachers Association.
