The 24 young musicians from the Dégelis high school music concentration will represent the Témiscouata region during a musical competition in the City of Light on 1is April, after a few years of forced break…
“New York is our third time. We’ve already done Boston, we’ve done Toronto, but with the pandemic, it’s been 4 years since we did a competition of this magnitude”, begins the teacher and conductor of the Stage Band of Dégelis, Dany Provencher.
Although the jazz musical ensemble excels at festivals, Dany Provencher is aiming even higher this time around.
“I think I have the gang to be able to have it, it’s esprit de corps, that is to say for the whole listening, the way we settle down… If ever I have that, I think I’m starting to bawl, ”explains Dany Provencher.
What is the secret to reaching this level?
“Having fun while playing, but with great rigor”, according to the conductor, Dany Provencher.
For the students of the musical training, it represents quite a challenge…
“Since we are the oldest, we are the ones who support the young people a little, so we have no choice but to be on top,” says the young baritone saxophonist, Nathan Poirier.
“I don’t realize yet that I’m going to New York”, replies the young guitarist Cédric Blanchette.
“I know it’s coming, we’re working hard,” says Tenor Saxophonist Janie Bernier.
“When I’m on stage I’m going to want to die, but when you sing it’s made correct…”, exclaims the young singer, Mali Landry.
Registered in the Jazz orchestra category, the ensemble will perform three pieces, therefore two well-known pieces, arranged by Maurice Deschênes of the festival The Springboard: either Up Tank Funk of Bruno Mars et I Wish de Stevie Wonder. To have the means for their ambitions, a crowdfunding campaign was carried out and the objective of raising nearly $30,000 was achieved.
“The pandemic has impoverished the world. Everyone is trying to get out of it, there is a lack of employees and not it answered as well as the others, ”ends Dany Provencher.
Students will seek an enriching musical experience in addition to playing tourists in the Big Apple. In front of all this talent, it is impossible to resist humming a few tunes with them….
