Banff International Festival
of School Orchestras and Bands

THE BANFF EXPERIENCE

An excited group of Terrrace students, staff and parents came together at Brisbane Airport on Monday, 29 March prepared for the long flight that would take them to Banff in the Canadian Rockies. Ansett flew us to Sydney where we had a lengthy wait for our flight to Los Angeles. The red jerseys presented to our musicians by the members of the Performing Arts Association made the boys conspicuous and that was good on a number of scores. Security and regular checks on the presence of every member of the party was uppermost in our minds from beginning to end.Finally the big moment arrived and we boarded the huge jet that would carry our party and all the instruments across the Pacific Ocean. The excitement of departure from Sydney which took place in the late afternoon soon evaporated as the novelty of the Jumbo jet took over. After dinner was served a welcome silence, apart from the roar of the engines, descended on the group and before long all were engaged in fitful slumber.

Los Angeles has one of the largest, busiest, tawdriest airports in the world and, one might add, one of the most disorganised and unco-ordinated. Upon arrival at Los Angeles airport the plane unloading ahead of us broke down and we were delayed on the tarmac for an hour and a half before we could move into our gate. American law insists that large groups travelling to the same destination have to travel on more than one aircraft. As a result of our long delay, those flying on Delta Airlines to Calgary via Salt Lake City missed the connecting flight. The other group travelling on Canadian Airlines had no problem and they duly arrived in Calgary where a coach awaited them for the hour and a half drive to Banff. Great was the joy when, as we sped along, we caught our first glimpse of snow on the nearby mountains.

The first group arrived at the Cultural Centre at Banff about midnight and were provided with food and very comfortable lodging immediately. The other group that had been delayed arrived about 4am. All were fascinated and delighted by the thick mantle of snow that enveloped everything in sight. We had travelled for 33 hours on three planes and a coach to get here and despite the tedium that accompanies long travel the boys were particularly well behaved eliciting many unsollicited laudatory comments from airline staff and other tourists.

Because of time zone differences we left Brisbane on Monday morning and were in Banff late on Monday, the same day or early on Tuesday morning. Because of the late arrival, Tuesday or at least the morning of Tuesday was declared an extended rest period after which coaches took us out to the frozen Lake Louise with its beautiful Chalet built along the lines of the magnificent Banff Springs Hotel both of which are owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway.

While at Lake Louise we were able to view at first hand this place of unsurpassed natural beauty and breath-taking splendour with its awe-inspiring mountain peaks glistening with snow, its freshly groomed ski slopes, alpine forests and glacial lakes. Snow had fallen the day before and so Sunshine, Banff Mount Norquay and Lake Louise ski slopes were playing host to the rich and famous of this world and to the common man and woman as well.

Wednesday was spent skiing at Sunshine and all, both experienced and beginners, had a great day on the snow. The Official Opening of the Festival took place that night with a minimum of speeches and a short musical offering from the tutors, all highly qualified musicians. Later in the week the teaching staff provided us with a concert that was very well received.

Master Classes started in dead earnest on Thursday and the participants quickly learnt that punctuality was of the essence. They also realised very quickly indeed that their tutors were very successful teachers and performers and that they had much to offer. Great relationships were to develop over the next three or four days.

On Thursday evening we all went to Banff Springs Hotel, one of the most famous and beautiful hotels in the world, where a social function was held. We were treated to an outstanding performance by a man who is regarded as the world's greatest bass player, Gary Karr.

On Easter Sunday we celebrated the Lord's Resurrection in the parish church at Banff where the Parish Priest gave us a warm welcome. That afternoon snow started to fall once again; it continued all night and then fell spasmodically on Easter Monday so that the Banff Centre with its numerous fir and pine trees now laden with snow made the whole scene a veritable fairyland.

On the afternoon of Easter Sunday the Terrace groups (Junior Strings, String Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble) performed to a packed theatre. They played excellently and, as a result, attracted very favourable comment and high praise from the panel of tutors - expert musicians and conductors. It must have been a great relief for Bevan and Andrea Messenger who were our conductors.

The farewell to Banff took place on Monday evening again with a few brief speeches followed by a video dance party. Despite the fact that the next morning was to be an early departure some of our group did not want the party to end.

A 3:00m rise and departure from Banff on Tuesday morning saw us leave the ice and snow behind (as we thought). We spent two hours in coaches which brought us through the thickest of thick fogs to Calgary Airport where we boarded our flight to Los Angeles. Having successfully negotiated our way through LA we boarded coaches that travelled along a thirteen lane highway to Palm Springs, a flower-filled oasis situated in the unattractive Nevada Desert. There must be great civic pride as well as wealth in Palm Springs for it boasts beautifully manicured, green, lush lawns with gardens everywhere a-bloom with strongly-coloured snapdragons, petunias, calendulas, primulas, sweet smelling jasmine, poppies, pansies, hibiscus and bougainvillea.

The Mayor of Palm Springs was present when our Symphonic Wind Ensemble performed in the open near the Town Hall. Snow could be seen on the nearby mountains, a bitterly cold breeze blew and so the fingers and lips experienced difficulty and the instruments also felt the cold. Suffice it to say the performance was not as good as we would have hoped. However, the Mayor was loud in his praise and presented the College with a framed DECLARATION naming April 7 as St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace Day now and henceforth.

On Thursday morning early coaches again conveyed us to Anaheim where we were to spend the next night. We spent that day at Disneyland which lived up to its reputation as a place of great imagination and make-believe. On Friday we went to Universal Studios which was most interesting with some breath-taking rides and glimpses of how films are made with a minimum of props and buildings. From Universal studios we were conveyed to the LA Airport with plenty of time to board our aircraft for the return flight to Brisbane via Auckland. I am sure the boys and all who travelled were uplifted by the wonderful welcome that awaited us as we passed through customs at the Brisbane terminal.

This brought to an end what must have been the most ambitious non school-based educational programme that Terrace has ever embarked upon.

Dr McManus's educational longsightedness conceived some three or four years ago which saw Terrace musicians participating in such a prestigious festival as this has been a most successful venture. This was made possible by the co-operation of our parents who contributed so magnificently to the financial aspects of such an undertaking. The boys themselves were excellent ambassadors for their school and country while the presence of staff and parents who accompanied the group was greatly valued. Dr Hodge was kept busy attending to the medical needs of those travelling. By far, the greatest burden was carried by Mr Chapman who was assisted by Mrs Carr and to them we express deep appreciation.

This particular event will be something the boys will never forget for its social, as well as its musical, ramifications.

B E Walker cfc (Br)
CULTURAL DIRECTOR

There have been so many beneficial and inspiring (as well as enjoyable) events during the Festival that it really is difficult to single out just one or two.

Seeing the development of the boys in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble through working with the two guest conductors, Dr. Denis Prime and Dr. James Tapia was been exciting and really extended their possibilities for future development (and many of the boys are aware of this and have been excited by it).

A personally uplifting event for me (and the other trombonists at the Festival) was performing with the Trombone Choir of almost 30 players!! at a dinner performance directed by the outstandingly talented and friendly trombone tutor Marc Donatelle. WOW!! What a sound.

Just getting up in the morning and seeing the view out the window was an uplifting experience in a place like Banff.

BEVAN MESSENGER

PS Skiing down the run three times in a row without falling over was pretty exciting too!!!

A once-in-a-lifetime experience for the boys. The Banff area must be one of the most beautiful in the world. They have had experiences that most can only dream of. Lake Louise was picture postcard perfect and our day skiing was enjoyed by all.

In the short time since the master classes have begun there is a noticeable improvement in their playing. It is wonderful to watch the boys perform for the other students at dinner e.g. a twenty-four trombone ensemble drawn from all the schools.

The reception at the magnificent Banff Springs Hotel included a recital by double bass player Gary Karr which received a standing ovation from the audience. This was followed by a dance.

The quality of the musical faculty here is world-class drawn from many experienced university professors. The boys certainly appreciate the opportunity.

TIM HARRINGTON