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Norquay students in GSSD band program received awards

The Good Spirit School Division band hosted its annual awards concert at the Sturgis Composite High School on June 1, featuring music steeped in tradition.

The Good Spirit School Division band hosted its annual awards concert at the Sturgis Composite High School on June 1, featuring music steeped in tradition.

Nathan Seghers, band instructor, led the beginner, intermediate, sophomore, senior and jazz divisions through various musical selections during the evening. Michele Federiuk was the emcee for the evening concert.

Seghers spoke briefly on the highlights and accomplishments throughout the year.

            “This was my second year teaching and I had hopes for the band program,” he said. “The students excelled and grew as great musicians. It has been a great year of growth for the students and the program.

“We had a busy season, from working with enthusiastic beginners, to the intermediate and sophomore band trip to Moose Jaw and the senior trip tip to Saskatoon,” he said. “I want to thank everyone for your overwhelming support for the program, from students and parents to the parent committee.”

The program kicked off with the mass band performing O Canada. The beginner band performed two selections, Mickey Mouse March and Enchantment.

The intermediate and sophomore band performed Sanctus and Celtic Air and Dance.

The senior band performed Aria for Winds and Whiplash.

The jazz band performed Uptown Funk and Rolling in the Deep.

            The beginner band awards program began with perfect attendance medals presented to: Lucas Alblas of Sturgis; Quirin Nelson, Alecia Shuba and Anne Dela Cruz, all of Preeceville; Gwyn Cabungcal of Invermay, and Meadow Ostafie, Methyl Trask, Jayden Burym and Daniel Howell, all of Canora.

            Merit awards for beginner band were presented to: Nathan Anaka, Cyrus Stittle, Jayden Fedorchuk and Peyton Fullawka of Sturgis; Anne Dela Cruz and Matthew Korney of Preeceville; Joshua Mendoza of Invermay; Tessa Reine, Carson Ebert and J.T. Foster, all of Norquay; and  Meadow Ostafie, Methyl Trask, Jayden Burym, Tomas Hauber, Hayden Strelioff and Jackson Krotenko, all of Canora.

            Hayden Strelioff was presented with the beginner band’s most improved musician award. Matthew Korney received the Peter Olineck Award for best first-year band student. Joshua Mendoza received the Canora Credit Union, Sturgis branch, award for being the most promising musician in the beginner band.

            Participation certificates were presented to: Marhea Quibod of Preeceville; Taylor Bell and Kevin Gimena, both of Invermay, and Joey Palagian, Samantha Parker and Daniell Howell, all of Canora.

            Intermediate band awards began with perfect attendance medals presented to: Isaiah Maier of Preeceville and Jon Alblas, Tate Bayer and Nolan Westermann, all of Sturgis.

            Cheyenne Fediuk of Canora was presented with the Timberline School Division Intermediate band award for most improved musician. Isaiah Maier of Preeceville received the Sturgis band committee intermediate band award for most outstanding musician. The Kinsmen Club of Sturgis Award for most promising musician was presented to Elley Tomcala of Canora.

            Merit awards for intermediate band were presented to: Emma Covlin and Isaiah Maier of Preeceville, and Catrina Marnell, Cheyenne Fediuk and Elley Tomcala of Canora.

            Sophmore band awards were presented for merit, most-improved and most-promising musician. Jillian Newton was presented with the Toronto Dominion most improved musician award. Cassandra Danyluk of Canora received the Town of Preeceville most outstanding musician award. Alexa Olson of Norquay received the Royal Canadian Legion, Sturgis branch, most-promising award.

            Merit awards were presented to: Jillian Newton, Harry Bartel, Eli Kashuba and Hannah Kidder, all of Preeceville; Denzel Vargas of Sturgis; Alexa Olson Norquay and Cassandra Danyluk of Canora.

            The senior band awards for perfect attendance were presented to: Rayanne Westermann of Sturgis and Melony Koturbash of Invermay.

            Jasmine Knihniski of Preeceville received the Norquay senior band award for most improved musician. Rhianna Olson of Sturgis received the Sturgis senior band award for congeniality. Shanae Olson of Sturgis received the Jerry Lisitza overall musician award. Kennedy Kosheluk of Preeceville received the Preeceville senior band award for most outstanding musician.

Audrey Vargas of Sturgis received the Royal Canadian Legion, Preeceville branch, most outstanding musician award. Makenna Olson of Norquay received the J.D. Trophies musician award for senior band. Rayanne Westermann received the Town of Sturgis most promising musician senior band award.

            Merit awards were presented to: Rhianna Olson, Makenna Olson, Kennedy Kosheluk, Jasmine Knihniski, Melody Koturbash; Hannah Sevilla and Sabrina Moshenko both of Canora; Peyton Secundiak, Cassie Chernyk and Shanae Olson of Sturgis; Natasha Lingl and Nicholas Lingl, both of Preeceville and Keely Foster and Brooke Olson, both of Norquay.

            Nicholas Lingl was presented with the service recognition and graduate plaque.

            Stage band awards were presented to:  Kennedy Kosheluk, Natasha Lingl and Nicholas Lingl. Merit awards were presented to Cassie Chernyk, Nicholas Lingl and Shanae Olson.