Districtwide arts festivals are back, with Concert Band Revue first to take the stage!

The Semiahmoo Secondary Grade 9 Concert Band is one of 30 ensembles that performed at this week's Concert Band Revue at the Bell Performing Arts Centre, the first districtwide music event since the start of the pandemic. (Photo via Semiahmoo Secondary on Twitter) 

Live performance is back for students in the district, with this week's Concert Band Revue marking the long-awaited return to districtwide arts events.

Grade 8 to 12 students from 30 ensembles are participating in the weeklong concert festivities at the Bell Performing Arts Centre, including students from Enver Creek, Fleetwood Park, Frank Hurt, Guildford Park, Johnston Heights, L.A. Matheson, Lord Tweedsmuir, North Surrey, Panorama Ridge, Princess Margaret, École Salish, Semiahmoo and Tamanawis secondary schools.

"This has been in the works since the summer," said Tricia Liversidge, the arts education helping teacher. "We had to wait for guidelines from the Coalition for Music Education in B.C., the provincial government, and the B.C. Music Educators' Association. And then we took all those recommendations to our health and safety department for review and made adjustments where needed. It's been quite a journey."

The excitement has reached a fever pitch for students and teachers alike, with Liversidge noting the days have been a little emotional and overwhelming.

"They're thrilled, there's been cheering and lots of comments from teachers and feedback from students already, even in just preparing," she said. "Even just to be around their peers and listen to them play, it's pretty incredible."

Festivals follow the provincial health and safety guidelines, including daily health checks, maximizing space between students, frequent hand hygiene and indoor mask usage, but with additional provisions for concerts. These include wearing masks while singing, not sharing sheet music and music stands, and limiting audience capacity to just students, teachers, staff and adult supervisors.

"As much as we would love to have parents attending, we just can't do it right now," said Liversidge. "But the event can take place, which is the first step."

Looking ahead to the new year, the district will be hosting the Secondary Dance Festival on Thursday, Jan. 13; the Secondary Choral Festival on Wednesday, Jan. 19; the Surrey Schools International Jazz Festival (date to be determined) and another Concert Band Revue in the second semester. All will be at the Bell Performing Arts Centre.

Here's to another great performance season!