Expect to see waves of music students - with instruments in hand - converge on Port Moody's Rocky Point Park this Saturday.
About 800 teens from nine middle and secondary schools will perform at the bandshell, close to Moody Inlet, for the third annual Bands in the Park, a four-hour concert organized by School District 43 music teachers.
Marcia Carmichael, Pinetree secondary's music instructor and co-chair of the Coquitlam Music Teachers' Association executive, said the free event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the 16 bands playing marches as well as movie and Broadway tunes.
In the past, school concert band shows were staged at night, in a gymnasium, "and it was only accessible to people in concert bands so, a few years ago, we thought we needed to bring our music out to the public... and say, 'This is what's happening in our schools these days,'" Carmichael said. "We felt it was important to share the talent."
The show is also a good way for young musicians to hear what's going on at other schools, she said.
The first two annual Bands in the Park were held at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam "and we've always had good weather so we're hoping for the same" at the Port Moody venue, Carmichael said, noting next year's show will likely be in Port Coquitlam as SD43 is made up of the three cities plus the villages of Anmore and Belcarra.
Stands, chairs and other equipment are being donated by Pinetree and Port Moody secondaries while ReMax is providing a set-up tent "so we'll have a continuous flow of music throughout the day," Carmichael said.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
The line-up:
The line-up:
Gleneagle: 11 a.m. Summit: 11:15 a.m.
Heritage Woods: 11:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
Pitt River: 12 p.m.
Scott Creek: 12:30 p.m.
Maillard: 12:45 p.m.
Centennial: 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Pinetree: 1:15 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.
Port Moody: 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
