It only happens every two years, and this week’s SMUS Middle School Concert was well worth the wait. Every student from Grades 6 to 8 took to the stage at the Farquhar at the University of Victoria on the evening of May 13. From a whole-school choir performance to grade-level band sets and a graceful string orchestra finale, the concert was a vibrant celebration of musical progress, talent and joy.
The evening began under the direction of choir teacher Duncan Frater, who conducted four powerful whole-school choral pieces. The auditorium’s lower level was packed with family, staff and supporters who couldn’t help but tap their feet and hum along to the opening number, a four-part arrangement of I Get Around, famously performed by The Beach Boys.
Students then showcased their linguistic and vocal range with two selections in other languages. The first, Senzenina, a South African anti-apartheid song.
“In class, we discussed the repetitive nature of the song, the almost trance-like call and response, and the importance of remembering the atrocities of the apartheid,” said Frater.
This was followed by Muusika, an intricate harmonic piece from Estonia that beautifully highlighted tone and harmony. The choir wrapped up their set with an upbeat piece, The Royal Hudson, a song from Vancouver about the classic train built in 1939.
Behind the scenes, Middle School faculty and staff worked together to ensure the transitions between sets went smoothly, supporting students backstage and managing changes on stage. Band teacher David Enns welcomed the crowd next, introducing the band portion of the evening.
Band Takes the Stage with Energy and Heart
“There’s nothing like a Middle School concert,” Enns said with a smile, as the audience chuckled watching the percussionists get their timpani and bass mallets sorted. The brief pause only added to the anticipation—and the performances delivered.
The Grade 6s opened with an impressively polished performance featuring two contrasting pieces: a vibrant, percussion-driven arrangement of a traditional Lebanese children’s song, Tik Tik Tik Ya, followed by a uniquely colourful composition that used music to portray the four types of symbiotic relationships found in nature, Symbiosis.
“Many of these students blew their first ‘note’ only at the beginning of October,” Enns shared, using air quotes with pride. “I have no problem saying that, because of what you’re about to hear now.”
Those early efforts blossomed into increasingly complex and compelling performances. The Grade 7 band performed three pieces, culminating in a energetic rendition of Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train—complete with students opening with the famous “All aboard!” and “Ay, ay, ay!”
The Grade 8 band added some interactive flair to their set, closing with Enter Sandman by Metallica. With no hesitation, audience members chimed in on cue with the lyric “We're off to never-never land,” adding to the fun and community-feel of the evening.
The Honour Band, which has been rehearsing every Friday afternoon, delivered a polished and impressive performance. Their set included Fireflies by Owl City, Where the Sun Breaks Through the Mist and Afro Blue—a true testament to the dedication and growth these students have shown.
Strings Add Grace and Grandeur to the Evening
The concert closed with the string performances, led by Christopher Smith. Each grade-level ensemble—Grades 6, 7 and 8—performed a set, as did the cross-grade String Orchestra. Their pieces added an eloquent and graceful tone to the evening.
Notably, the Grade 7 strings group performed a nostalgic nod to the spring musical Rock of Ages with a dynamic arrangement of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’. Several Grade 6 students—including Jianuo W., Shang Shang L., Caren W., Emma B., Marchesa T., Callia L., Angus M., Adam Z., Victoria X. and Justine Z.—performed engaging solo melody parts in the Grade 6 group, performing a fun, rustic-style piece called Bass-ically Bluegrass.
The most experienced crew, the Grade 8 Strings, provided a poignant close to the concert with Fauré’s Pie Jesu, and they ended on a cheerful note with the charming Emperor Waltz by Johann Strauss Jr. The swell on the last note of the piece was a grandiose finale to a musically rich and highly successful concert.
“We are very proud to consider that the Middle School and SMUS is able to nurture a music program of this size and calibre, with large and enthusiastic groups of students in all grades and all types of ensembles,” said Smith. “We are very grateful to all the faculty volunteers behind the scenes who made the rehearsal day and the concert evening run so smoothly, and we are likewise grateful to the leadership team at the Middle School for their steadfast and proactive support of our music programs.”
While the evening stood on its own as an entertaining and inspiring musical event, it was also a powerful reminder of SMUS’s deep commitment to music education. From their first notes in Junior School through continued exploration and refinement in Middle School, students are immersed in an enriching music program that sets the stage—literally and figuratively—for future success in the Senior School and beyond.
