CORNWALL, Ontario – With the dwindling numbers in members of a local musical institution, a long-time music educator and conductor is dedicating the next five years of his life to reverse the otherwise inevitable.
In the past many years, associate director of the Seaway Winds Concert Band, Raymond Lacroix, has watched the decline of music education, in schools, and as a direct result, a smaller numbers of trained musicians, qualified to play in their community group.
“We predict that in about five years, we will be losing a good many of our members,” said Lacroix, who believes that the well-patronized concert band, will meet its end, as the age of their members goes up.
Not because of community interest, but in fact, the lack of new recruits, he explained.
Lacroix, an accomplished musician in his own right, is spearheading a project to change all that.
“I want to start a junior music program where we teach music outside classroom.”
Starting in September, for a small fee, Lacroix will instruct two evenings per week, anyone, of any age, who is interested in learning to play a band instrument, including flute, clarinet, French horn, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, electric bass or percussion, among others.
The expectation is that after two years, participants will be ready to join the Seaway Winds.
“I will make sure that the people get the proper training,” said Lacroix, now retired. “It will be fun.”
He is now in the process of applying for a grant (up to $25,000), through Music Counts TD Community Music Program, to buy instruments which will be available to the participants who can’t afford to purchase or rent their own.
“Music should be open to everyone, not only those who can afford it.”
“Regardless of the grant the plan is a go ahead,” he said. “However, a grant would be great.”
Anyone who is interested is asked to pre-register online, without commitment. This is just to get an indication of community interest in the program, he explained.
“You’re never too old to learn,” said Lacroix, “This is good for the community; it’s good for the Seaway Winds.”
For further information, to register, or to make a donation, visit http://www.seawaywinds.ca.
