Performing arts student joins Canadian National Youth Band

Lakeland College performing arts student, James Griffith, has been selected to join the 2018 Canadian National Youth Band. 

Griffith received the Brost Family Woodwind Scholarship and Joanne Messer Intermediate Silver Award & Trophy. Griffith has now qualified to go to the 2018 National Music Festival Competition in Sackville, NB from Aug. 12 – 16.

Griffith, a saxophone student instructed by Kim Drury, will join the 50 member youth band for a week in May in Montreal. He and the other musicians, who range in age from 16 to 22, will study and learn at the University of McGill, Schulich School of Music. The musicians will spend three days rehearsing together and then the remainder of the week they will perform at a number of Montreal schools and venues.

With encouragement from Lakeland’s Drury along with his parents, Griffith submitted his audition pieces in October 2017. The rigorous audition process required him to submit two etudes, a set of scales and technical exercises to demonstrate his proficiency and musical talents. He found out in December he had been selected to be part of this prestigious youth orchestra.

“This experience has really helped me solidify that music is something I want to pursue for the rest of my life. I’m not sure if it will be in performance or education, but it will be part of my career path,” Griffith says.

Griffith emphasizes his lessons with Drury were integral to his selection.

“Taking lessons definitely helped me succeed. Preparing for festivals and studying other pieces helped me reach the playing level I’m at today. Kim really listens to your playing and helps you take a piece of music to the next level. She is just a wonderful person to take music lessons with – kind, supportive and generous in sharing her musical talents.”

Drury emphasizes her student’s acceptance speaks to James’ musicality. “The National Youth Band only accepts six saxophone musicians into the 50 member band, and the fact that James is only 16 and is being adjudicated with music students up to 22 years of age from across Canada demonstrates his saxophone proficiency.”

Drury has her Masters of Music, Certificate in Performance from Northwestern University and teaches saxophone, piano and flute lessons at the Lloydminster campus. As a young student, Drury was also selected to be a member of the Canadian National Youth Band.