HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2006-04-05, Page 7News
The Huron Expositor • April 5, 2006 Pop 7
Student earns spot in National Concert Band
Willem Shepherd, 17, of Seaforth, plays six instruments in four school bands
Jeff tleuchert
After applying to the
National Concert Band
back in September, 17 -
year -old Willem Shepherd,
of Seaforth, thought he had
missed his opportunity, as
February rolled around
and he hadn't heard back
from anyone.
Unbeknownst to him, the
application deadline had
been pushed back, along
with acceptance notifica-
tions.
"Eventually I got an
email saying I was accept-
ed," Shepherd says.
"I was surprised. I
thought I had been passed
over."
But for anyone that
knows Shepherd, being
passed over seemed highly
unlikely.
Shepherd can play six
instruments but is excep-
tionally good at the trum-
pet and piano.
A Grade 12 student at Central
Huron Secondary School, Shepherd
plays in the school's concert, jazz
and intermediate bands, and the
percussion ensemble.
His instrument of choice is the
trumpet, which is what he will play
when he performs with the national
band.
"The trumpet is something I
band.
The band is compiled
of students *from across the
country.
They will meet in
Ottawa in May, where for a
week they'll take part in
several workshops.
The experience
comes to a head with two
performances at Ottawa's
National Arts Centre.
The performances
are part of MusicFest, an
annual national event that
includes performances from
more than 10,000 young
musicians, over six days.
Shepherd will be
splitting his time there
between the national band
and the CHSS concert and
jazz bands, which will be
performing there as well.
Next year Shepherd
will be attending university..
And, although he has drawn
CRSS photo attention from college music
instructors, Shepherd says
he has no plans to pursue
music as a profession.
"I've always pictured- it (perform-
ing) as a hobby thing," he says.
"I'd like to do it, but it just seems
really hectic with all the traveling."
Either way though, Shepherd is
far from giving up music.
"I'll play at whatever university I
attend, or I'll find a jazz band in the
area," he says.
Willem Shepherd
always wanted to play," he says. Then there's the tuba, baritone
"I just love the tone (it makes). and trombone, all of which
Just the way it sounds. It's Booth- Shepherd has at one time or anoth-
ing." er played.
"And it's easier than the french Shepherd currently spends his
horn (another instrument he breaks at school helping teach the
plays)," Shepherd jokes. baritone to Grade 9 students.
There's also the piano, an instru- Considering his wide experience,
ment Shepherd's parents introduced it's really not a surprise Shepherd's
him to, but he has willingly contin- music teacher came to him with the
ued playing since Grade 4. idea of applying for the national
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