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New Westminster students to play 12-hour marathon concert

When New Westminster Secondary School music teacher Kelly Proznick, taps her baton and readies her high school student ensemble on October 15, they'll be starting a 12-hour marathon, or "Bandathon" concert to raise money for the future of the school'

When New Westminster Secondary School music teacher Kelly Proznick, taps her baton and readies her high school student ensemble on October 15, they'll be starting a 12-hour marathon, or "Bandathon" concert to raise money for the future of the school's music program.

Back for its second year, NWSS's music students, from Grades 8 to 12, are collecting pledges for the Bandathon.

"Last year we were stunned at the success, to be honest, for a first time (fundraiser). We raised over $20,000 so this year we thought we'd set the goal higher. We set it at $30,000. Whether we reach it or not, we'll see but it's a fun motivator for us to watch the numbers tick up on the website," Proznick said.

As of Wednesday, the Bandathon was just short of $9,000.

Money raised will help pay for the school's senior band to travel to Ottawa to perform at Musicfest Canada, a prestigious invitation-only national festival. Other funds from the event go to another band trip to Whistler and hopefully, some new flugelhorns (a cousin of the trumpet often used in jazz bands), a bass drum and stand, and a marimba for the school.

Proznick said she expects the band to grow, shrink and change during the day as students take turns putting in minimum three-hour shifts.

"It's physically impossible for everybody to play for 12 hours, it's too physically taxing, so they rotate. They have to play a minimum of three hours but a lot of them do more than three hours because it's a lot of fun," she said.

And it won't be all Chopsticks or Hot Cross Buns, either.

"It's all sight-reading. It's all new music for the kids. They've never seen it before. We try to pick charts that are newly published as well," she said.

Proznick said three straight hours of sight-reading is tough for the younger students but the more experienced seniors tend to go through it smoothly, while acting as mentors for Grade 8s.

Proznick said potential donors shouldn't look at the Bandathon as just a way to help some local students have the trip of a lifetime and perform for new audiences. Instead, they should see it as an investment in their community.

"Participation in music is a life-changing experience for young people. If people could come and spend a day in this room, they would see the magic that happens every day. It's the kind of thing I hope people will want to support youth doing," she said. "They're giving them community strength, leadership, confidence, team-building, all of these skills that you need to be successful in life."

New West folk who want to contribute to the cause can donate funds directly through any student in the band program. If you don't know any, you can donate through the Bandathon website at www.fanofthebandathon.com.

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