The Georgian Bay Secondary School (GBSS) Senior and Intermediate Orchestras kept tradition alive claiming their fifth consecutive gold medals at the 76th-annual Kiwanis Music Festival at GBSS on April 10.
The Kiwanis Festival has long been a tradition for the high school orchestras, but it wasn't until last year that music teacher Patrick Delaney achieved his goal of a "Golden Generation", one year of students who contributed to four consecutive gold medal wins, one in each year of high school.
Now with this year's win, Delaney has achieved that goal twice.
Over the years, the GBSS orchestras have amazed adjudicators from all across the country and around the world and this year was no exception.
"It amazes me that an area with such a small population can produce such talented performers," said adjudicator Lillian Scheirich before awarding the GBSS Senior Orchestra the highest score of the night.
"The way you played so accurately shows that you have discipline. You and your teacher have done a really great job."
Both orchestras performed one classical and one modern piece with the Intermediates playing a piece entitled Declaration and Dance as well as the third movement of Dvorak's New World Symphony. The Seniors performed a medley from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest by Hans Zimmer as well as the first movement of the New World Symphony.
"Everyone did so well tonight," said Delaney after the performances. "Both performances went so smoothly. It's a true testament to the hard work of these students."
Delaney pointed out that, ironically, there are five returning students left in the orchestra who achieved their fifth gold medal this year and also praised the ambition and talent of his latest group of students who he hopes will keep the winning streak alive.
After the Kiwanis success, the GBSS Music Department must now prepare for the annual Spring Concert held at the beginning of June where the award-winning orchestras will showcase their talent and Delaney will graduate his second Golden Generation of students.
