The Spotswood gymnasium at Belmont secondary is hosting its final “Final Concert” on Thursday, June 4.
The year-end performance will see more than 100 young musicians take the stage to celebrate decades of history at the school.
“It will be the last time we set this up,” said music director Mandart Chan.
“Grade 12s always feel it, but for all the students it will be the last time the Belmont music program will be together as a whole.”
Despite knowing the department and music students will be split between the new Belmont secondary at Glen Lake and the new Royal Bay starting with the upcoming academic year, Chan said the focus is clear right now. Audience members can expect to see the school’s concert band, jazz ensemble, R&B band and choir perform at a high level, alongside a few familiar faces from years gone by.
“It is going to be another mini reunion of sorts,” Chan said, noting that some alumni are scheduled to perform. “It’s always nice to see the (Belmont) community come together.”
Grade 12 trumpet player Tessa Thompson will perform in her sixth Final Concert, an event she always looks forward to. She credits musical staff Chan, Glynis Dawson and Glenn Whitney for their commitment to the students. Their dedication plays a big part in the outcome of what Thompson expects to be an entertaining evening for all.
“They’ve been working us very hard over the course of the year, (and) they expect the best out of us. And (that) brings the best out of us,” she said. “Not to toot my own horn, pun intended, but we are pretty excellent.”
Chan said the program involves approximately 120 students, and despite the emotion of the end of an era in the existing building pulling at his heartstrings, he looks forward to sending the old gym home with a finale worth remembering.
“(Audiences) will enjoy a great night of music, a great night of nostalgia and we hope people come out and enjoy that music with us,” he said. “Help us end this chapter of Belmont’s history as we enter a new chapter in this district.”
The Belmont Final Concert starts at 7 p.m., June 4 in the Bill Spotswood Gymnasium.
alim@goldstreamgazette.com