Approximately 50 band students from Boissevain School will be travelling to Red Deer, Alberta for a band trip in the spring of 2024, and fundraising efforts are underway for participating students as well as 6 chaperones.

Band instructor, Colleen Hallett, says the cost of each student is just over $700 so they're looking at a total cost of $36,400 to cover all the costs of everyone on the bus, including 6 adults/chaperones! 

"This is big for a band trip but back when I was in high school band, we did a trip like this every 4 years so it gives the kids a chance to have a big goal to work towards in their band careers in school. So, it's a fun tradition that I hope to revive here!"

The students have already been raising funds by selling hot chocolate at the Go Wild for Christmas Holiday Market a few weeks ago, where they raised $500, and then last Friday evening band students and parents were selling hot chocolate and popcorn at the Boissevain tree lighting ceremony. Hallett has also been applying for grants to help with travel costs for the group.

"We are heading out to Alberta in May of 2024 and going up through Drumheller, then performing in Red Deer at their music festival, and then up into Calgary where we'll see the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra perform which is a great experience for the kids," shares Hallett. "Then we'll go up to Banff and then back home again. So, every cent that we make goes towards lowering the costs for the kids!"

Students from Grades 7-12 will be travelling from May 14-18th, the Red Deer Band Festival being the only day and place that they'll be performing, says Hallett.  "The rest of the trip is experiences that showcase where music can take you in life, and also getting to see the sights that we don't get to in Manitoba, like the [Alberta] Badlands and dinosaurs and the mountains."

Upcoming fundraisers include a used-book sale at the school just before the Christmas break, sometime in mid-December.

"We're currently accepting donations of used books, puzzles, board games, movies, everything that you might want to enjoy over the Christmas break," she explains. "You know, curl up with a good book or movie. So, we'll sell those donated items, and every penny goes back towards the cost of the trip."

Please take a listen to Boissevain band teacher, Colleen Hallett, below as she shares more of their fundraising efforts!

Upcoming fundraisers:

Wednesday, December 6th ~ concert at the Whitewater Mennonite Church where the Brandon University Brass Ensemble will be performing.

Wednesday, December 20th ~ The Boissevain School Band will be performing their Christmas Concert at the Boissevain School gymnasium.

Wednesday, December 20th ~ Fundraising Book Sale at the Boissevain School 

Please contact Boissevain School for more details on these and other upcoming events.

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