Alex Williams laughs when he says that he never leaves the Belmont secondary music room.
But whether his laughter is there to indicate that he’s joking is up to interpretation.
Glynis Dawson, the school’s department head of fine arts, notes that Williams’ assertion isn’t far off.
“They’re here early, they’re here late,” she said, adding that the music department has a microwave and a fridge that the students make use of.
“They’ve made this space a musical community,” Dawson said.
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Williams, who plays double bass, sings in two separate choirs, and is a member of the school’s drum line, says he’s formed close bonds with his fellow musicians, which include trombonist/bassoonist Cameron Jousi and trumpeter Sean Wilson.
The Grade 11 trio might be hanging around the music room even more this week as they get ready for a year-end concert in front of family and friends on June 8 (7 p.m., Belmont theatre).
With several groups performing, it was tough for the boys to nail down which songs they are most looking forward to, but Jupiter, a classical piece by Gustav Holst, is a standout.
“It’s a happy upbeat piece,” noted Wilson.
Another selection that should be familiar to audiences and will likely be a part of the June 8 show is the theme from Lawrence of Arabia.
“It’s the definitive desert piece,” Williams said.
From a jazz perspective, Fowl Play should give the evening an added dose of energy.
“It’s easy to get stuck in your head and to jam to,” said Jousi.
“It’s a nice funk tune,” Wilson added.
Of course, all of these pieces wouldn’t have come together if the three young musicians hadn’t made the improvements that they have since taking up their respective instruments.
“When I first started in Grade 10 I could barely play an octave,” Jousi recalled. “It was kind of sad. I’ve very much improved on trombone (with) a lot of practice.”
“Before Grade 10 all I had really played in a group ensemble was an electric bass that was missing a string,” Williams chuckled. “To go from that to playing the double bass is, I think, a huge improvement.”
While some credit for that improvement should be given to the students’ teachers at Belmont, Dawson is quick to point out that the current group is deserving of a pat on the back.
“These guys have really come from being a separate group of individuals from different places to a very connected, strong community of musicians … (They have) lots of heart.”
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com
Twitter: @joelgazette
