A Symphony of Learning and Performance
with content contribution from S. Tooth, K. Leverette & W. Moore, LLF
The Limestone Music Celebration will be an extraordinary gathering of 400-500 secondary music students from across the Limestone District School Board. This event promises a day filled with musical enrichment, education, and an evening performance. A unique event organized by secondary school music teachers, Tourism Kingston, and the Limestone Learning Foundation.
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion Through Music
The Limestone Music Celebration focuses on a repertoire that reflects a wide array of voices. Works by Black composers, women, and Indigenous artists have been prioritized to ensure a rich, varied musical experience that resonates with all participants. This initiative is a step towards decolonizing our music rooms and departments, making sure every student sees themselves in the music they learn and perform.
A Day of Musical Workshops
LDSB secondary students will have the unique opportunity to participate in instrument-specific workshops and clinics, led by local professional music educators and accomplished Kingston musicians Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at Grant Hall, Queen's University. This immersive experience is designed to deepen their musical skills, foster collaboration, and enhance their appreciation for diverse musical genres and techniques.
The Limestone District School Board of Trustees is incredibly proud of this event, the community collaborations, and the opportunity it has created for LDSB students to thrive and excel in their musical endeavours.
It was the vision of Trustees for a more comprehensive and inclusive music program that led them to invest $500,000 in surplus spending for secondary musical instruments, arts programs, and the Artist in Residence program in the fall of 2021. This support from Trustees at the time, recognized the need for an infusion into the arts and secondary music programming, knowing arts funding has not been prioritized through the Grants for Student Needs in recent years, and budget feedback from the LDSB community in the winter/spring of 2021 emphasized a desire for more arts funding. The supplementary funding enabled secondary schools to expand their music curriculum, invest in new instruments, and repair and replace supporting infrastructure - everything from new patch cords, LED lights, to new computers and soundcards for recording.
An Inspiring Composition
The event will feature a special highlight: an original composition by Ernestown Secondary music teacher, Tim Stiff. His work, specifically crafted for a Massed Ensemble with inclusive and uplifting lyrics, is designed to celebrate the unity and diversity music brings to our lives.
The concert will be live streamed on February 21 from 7 pm – 8:30 pm by students of Bayridge Secondary School, Computer Science program. With limited seating available at this venue, watching virtually will be the best way for the public to see the culminating performance.
A Partnership in Excellence in Education
In yet another amazing example of collaboration, the Limestone Learning Foundation is honoured to support the Limestone Music Celebration with a grant of $10,000!
Our Shared Vision
The Limestone Music Celebration 2024 embodies the vision of the Limestone Learning Foundation of making arts education a vibrant and essential part of students' lives. By supporting this event, the LLF wis honoured to provide a platform where students can experience the transformative power of music beyond the classroom, in a setting that encourages collaboration, celebrates diversity, and builds community.