4 minute read
The World of CISMF (The Glen, Spring 2024)
Introduction to the CISMF Experience
The Conference of Independent Schools Music Festival (CISMF) is a truly remarkable event that brings together the most talented young musicians and professionals from across the province and is a wonderful experience for several gifted young artists. CISMF aims to promote high standards of musicianship and creative expression in an enriching environment by providing opportunities to learn and grow and to meet other students and teachers who share their passion for music.
The festival has an electrifying energy to it, igniting a sense of wonder and inspiration in each musician, and it was a truly unforgettable experience for me.
The audition process for a CISMF band seems simple. Each musician had to record a video of them playing a few scales and a short piece. Afterwards, their submission was reviewed by a prestigious board of music professionals. However, with several hundred students all auditioning for a limited number of spots in a band, musicians must exhibit a high level of skill, showcasing their superior ability of articulations, dynamics, tempo, and tone quality. This makes it even more impressive that Bayview Glen had 16 Grade 7 and 8 musicians selected into the Concert Band, 12 Grade 9 and 10’s in the Symphonic Band, three in Grade 11’s in the Wind Ensemble and String Orchestra. Additionally, we also sent 15 vocalists in the Intermediate Choir. Bayview Glen had the greatest number of students from any one CIS school selected into the festival through the audition process!
This was only made possible by our wonderful music teachers, Mrs. Scharfstein, Mr. Hunsburger, and Mr. Bellissimo. Thank you so much for all you do for us and thank you for allowing us to experience such an amazing event!
Logan, Grade 8 Student
Rehearsals and Performance
The most memorable aspect of the CISMF concert band experience was the fulfilling and action-packed, full-day rehearsals. Selected students embarked on a trip to another private school. In my case, it was Saint Andrew’s College where the rehearsals were held. The day started with an introduction of our two fantastic conductors, and we started working on our three-page concert band piece, ‘The Three Czech Folk Songs’, followed by ‘Fragile’. We rehearsed different sections of the piece and the conductors suggested various areas for improvement. I could feel my musical skill grow with every hour spent playing at rehearsals. My instrument range increased, my tone quality improved and my articulations were sharper. I made huge, unerasable progress during CISMF. There was one rehearsal in February and two in April prior to the performance. I made many new friends from around CIS schools in Ontario, and I am endlessly grateful for this enriching opportunity that I was lucky to take part in.
Finally, the highlight of my experience was the breathtaking performance on April 13, 2024, at Roy Thomson Hall. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform on the same stage as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and other notable orchestras and choirs. With 2,630 seats and incredible acoustics, over 1,400 independent school students from all over Ontario performed on this stage with a packed audience. The tickets were sold out! We drove in the morning to downtown Toronto and settled in our greenrooms to proceed with our warmup. The greenrooms where we did our warmup were filled with different students from around Ontario. Some students travelled from Ottawa, and other even further schools for rehearsals and the performance. Finally, it was time to perform. The moment I saw the lights shine into my eyes and the eyes of thousands of people, I felt reborn. It was exhilarating and eye-opening. This was an extraordinary and unforgettable experience. Thank you, CISMF!
