School District 60 band tours schools to recruit beginner band students

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The School District 60 Band is touring elementary schools this week to recruit students for its beginner band for the 2024 to 2025 school year.

During the tour, Tessa Wilkinsen, a senior band clarinet student, says they send interested grade 5 students home with information packets on how to join band and any other questions parents may have.

Due to high demand, the School District 60 band is now offering an online sign-up option on the district’s website as well as the paper form. Sign-ups are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Jessica Giesbrecht, a senior band trombone student, says she didn’t have any music experience when she first started in grade 6 but really enjoyed her experience.

She says she was one of six students from Taylor Elementary School who would get on the bus to travel into town to learn her instrument.

“It was lots of fun to get to learn all these new things,” Giesbrecht said.

As an older student, she and others in the senior band take on a mentor role for the younger kids, working with them on the music they’re playing.

For more information on what the band students are up to, the Community Roundup with Wilkinsen, Giesbrecht, Molly Koppanyas and Savannah Drschiwiski can be viewed below: