By Andru McCracken

Valemount’s declining high school enrolment could only have one outcome on the high school band program, and as the school year winds down, the verdict is clear: the band program is no more. Valemount Secondary School has had a proud history of music, significant for a school of such a small size.

Now music teacher Silvio Gislimberti is in the early stages of starting a community music school that could begin next October.

Gislimberti’s initiative is well received around the high school in Valemount, because once a high school band program dies, re-establishing it becomes a very difficult task.

Principal Dan Kenkel is throwing his support behind the music school. He said that the community use agreement is broad enough to accommodate the community music school.

“I think this is an excellent program and a great idea, but it does not diminish my intention to bring back a school band,” he said. “Down the road when we get the band program back, it will supplement that.”

Kenkel said that there would need to be some work done if people from the broader community are to use instruments owned by School District 57. He said that there could be a rental fee for non-students.

Gislimberti’s concept of a music school is making waves and he has already cemented a few important relationships including the Valemount Arts and Cultural Society as a sponsor, potential teachers and early discussions with the high school.

The music school would operate under the community use agreement between the school district and the village. The agreement makes provisions for community use of the high school.

One advantage to starting a community music school is that it ensures that the musical instruments stay in Valemount. According to Gislimberti, to replace what they now have on loan from the school district would cost between $50,000 and $60,000.

While the program wouldn’t be directly funded by the school district, there are some substantial benefits. The music school would be open to elementary school students, adults, as well as students of the high school.

Gislimberti said a number of potential instructors have shown their interest, and that the new music school could cover much more that just classical styles, going in to rock and roll, and old time fiddling.

“We will also make sure there is one band ensemble and may be a rock, pop group,” he said.

Gislimberti’s been crunching the numbers and he believes they could offer courses fairly inexpensively. “Right now we’re looking between $35 and $40 for instruction per month,” he said.

A community music school is by no means a novel concept. Communities like Langley and Delta have very successful schools.

Because of small class sizes, and having a variety of teachers Gislimberti said the level of instruction could be higher than a school band is able to offer. The disadvantage is that without a school band, not all students will be exposed to music in Grade 8, a program that had been compulsory in the school.

New school investment begins to pay

Gislimberti said that because the instruments are currently within the school and because of the theatre and the community use agreement within new school the program

“There are no big capital costs. If everybody pulls to the same end of the problem, this can happen because all the capital costs can be covered,” he said.

Parent Jan Vanderzwan was disappointed to see the band program cancelled, but is hopeful about the community music school.

“All of my older kids had the opportunity to go through it. I think music is really important part of the well roundedness,” she said. Her daughters Linnaea and Hailey had already picked out their instruments for the coming year.

“I really appreciate all the time and energy that Silvio has put into it,” she said. “I know it won’t be the same as a program that originates within the curriculum, but it will be good as a whole.”

Vanderzwan was deeply involved in the vision of the new school and the rally to develop it.

“Based on the enthusiasm around the school opening and donor wall ceremony, the community wants to see it being used,” she said.