On Saturday, April 5th, at 3:00 p.m., the 38th Conference of Independent Schools Music Festival (CISMF) welcomed Hawthorn musicians and vocalists along with over 1,500 of their peers from 38 other CIS Ontario member schools to the iconic stage of the beautiful Roy Thomson Hall in downtown Toronto. Following months of preparation in class and intensive rehearsal days, our Grades 4 to 11’s showcased their love of music alongside students from across the province in an outstanding and unforgettable musical experience for both participants and their audience.
This unique festival was created for celebrating music in a non-competitive way, bringing together students from CIS schools across Ontario to sing and play music during an annual collaborative concert. Featuring everything from a wind ensemble, to junior, intermediate, and senior choirs, to concert, jazz, and symphonic bands, to chamber and concert orchestras, the CISMF unites Hawthorn with our fellow student musicians in an uplifting, high level performance like no other.
As Sarah Craig, CIS Ontario, Executive Director, writes to the student musicians and vocalists ‘… your commitment to excellence, your willingness to collaborate, and your passion for music shine through every note you play and sing.’
Thank you to Hawthorn’s music faculty Miss Kim and Ms. Szalados for preparing our students once again for the CISMF this year. Their continued support and commitment to nurturing love of and appreciation for music in countless ways at Hawthorn is truly inspirational. Words of St. John Bosco animate their enthusiasm and dedication to their vocation: ‘A school without music is like a body without a soul.’
