The musical event ‘Spectacular’ lived up to its name as a wide variety of musical genres entertained the 300 people in the audience.
The ‘Spectacular’ was in support of Josh Lesperance, a student musician at Saugeen District Secondary School (SDSS). Lesperance has been accepted into one of the most prestigious schools in the world when it comes to music. Eastman School of Music founded in 1921 in Rochester, New York, includes alumni such as opera star Renee Fleming, musician Chuck Mangione, Mitch Miller and many others.
Lesperance is only one of two tuba players to be accepted into the school but, as with any university, tuition is high and, therefore, the reason behind the ‘Spectacular’ was to raise funds to help him.
The evening was emceed by Scott Irvine, former principal tuba player with the Canadian Opera Company orchestra in Toronto and founding member of True North Brass. He has been a guest host on CBC’s, ‘This is My Music’ radio program and recently was narrator for the Georgian Bay Symphony in its performances of Peter and The Wolf by Prokofiev. He has also been a teacher to Lesperance.
Josh Lesperance has completed his Level 10 Royal Conservatory with First Class Honours with Distinction and has performed with the National Youth Band of Canada, the Denis Wick Canadian Wind Orchestra and the Ontario Provincial Honour Band. He has also won several gold medals in competition and won the Arts Centre Outstanding Brass Musician Award in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Many musicians came out in support of Lesperance, including the Noodle Factory Jazz Project, the Royal Big Band, saxophonist Natasha Szulist, Get Back plays the Beatles, guitarist Ewan Dennison and pianists Christine Edwards and Christabel Pinto, in addition to vocalists Lauren Gilbert and Cydney Morris and dance performers Kate Burridge-MacDonald and Sophia Tsatsos.
For larger views, CLICK on Images
“We simply cannot believe the support Josh has received from the entire community,” said his mother Trish. “We are so proud of him and the community that has shown him so much love and support. It’s just amazing.”
There is also a ‘Go Fund Me’ page set up for Josh … ‘GO FUND ME’
To listen to musical highlights, CLICK HERE.
