About Terry Fox Music
For music performance, Terry Fox offers a diverse Music Department that includes Concert Bands, Jazz Combos, a 55 piece Concert Choir, a 30 piece Vocal Jazz Group and an award winning Rock School and Recording Arts program that is unique within the province of BC. At the grade 9 level, no experience is necessary and all students interested in learning an instrument are encouraged to join us.
This page will offer resources for Mr. Cho's music classes at Terry Fox. If you seeking information about Rock School or Recording Arts, or would like to contact Mr. Steve Sainas, Fine Arts Department Head, check out the Rock School / Recording Arts Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/nFre5A
The Terry Fox Concert Band (http://youtu.be/Unw2n1dP5ww) gives students the opportunity to get academic credit within the timetable for playing instrumental music. Students explore all types of instrumental music from movie soundtracks, to art songs, to folk music. Studies have also shown an academic advantage to playing this type of music, as studying more classical types of music has been link to higher achievement in math and science classes. Playing in a Terry Fox Concert Band can also be used as credit for the BC Government's school daily physical activity requirement.
Terry Fox Jazz (http://youtu.be/EpRxC71YyIc) program is utilizing a jazz combo format, where all of the Jazz students are split into Combos and are given instruction in improvisation and combo playing. Although the groups are mentored by the teacher, the combos are independent jazz ensembles that are student led and student driven. Through their own initiative, students working in their combos are now creating their own jazz compositions and arrangements for their groups to perform. Terry Fox is the only high school in the Coquitlam School District that is exploring combo playing, improvisation, and student lead ensembles to this degree. Jazz Band is also offered inside of the timetable
Concert Choir and Vocal Jazz (http://youtu.be/6A5UpE_60hs) courses explore singing and performance of all kinds which include include movement, music from around the world, and at times some “Glee” like experiences. The Choral Groups often are asked to perform for community events as well, which this year includes the 2010 Olympic Torch Ceremony as it comes through the Coquitlam Area. Concert Choir and Vocal Jazz take place in Block E on alternate days and run all year
Members of the School's Concert/Jazz Bands and Choirs also enjoy the opportunity to tour and explore the world of Music and art outside of the metro Vancouver area. Over the past 10 years, students who were a part of any of the Concert/Jazz Bands and Choirs have traveled to New York, Anaheim (California), Moscow (Idaho), Seattle (WA), Edmonton, and Calgary as well as more local endeavors in and around the province of British Columbia. For 2011/2012 The Concert Band/Jazz/Choral Program will be doing a week long exchange to Cuba.Music students have multiple opportunities throughout the year to fund raise to off set potential travel costs of joining these tours so that these opportunities are available to students regardless of financial difficulty.
Over the last several years, Terry Fox has also brought in several guest artists to the Music Department, including the Mother of Pearl Jazz Combo, the award winning Rumba Calzada, Kocassalé Dioubaté with BéréSanké, Ache Brasil, and the 5th Field Military Band. In 2009, the choral groups also went on retreat to Camp Jubilee in North Vancouver, where they hosted members of the Vancouver Chamber Choir as guest artists/clinicians. For Fall 2010 Concert Band students also participated in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra "Symphonic Encounters" Open Rehearsal and Meet A Professional Musician Program.
The school also runs two full guitar classes, and every other year offers a World Beat class, where students explore world percussion and traditional hand drumming from across the world, as well as more contemporary percussion performance (such as Blast, and the Blue Man Group). Both of these classes are open to any interested Terry Fox Student. No prior musical experience is necessary, and students explore ways to interpret the music beyond that of traditional music notation.