Inspiration 2016 was truly an inspirational evening
November 4, 2016
GUELPH, Ontario – On Thursday, November 3, Guelph’s River Run Centre was packed for the fourth annual Inspiration concert. Inspiration is a fundraiser for the Children’s Foundation of Guelph-Wellington’s Free to Play Program. Inspiration 2016 featured performances from Upper Grand District School Board students and staff, and local community members.
Every year, Inspiration is dedicated to community members that make a positive contribution to the arts. The 2016 program was dedicated to two UGDSB teachers, Kelly McCullough and Jeff Bersche. Kelly and Jeff are teachers at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute who decided to create an arts-focused program for students to thrive. It’s a full semester program for grade 11 students where they immerse themselves in the arts. While running this program Kelly and Jeff have shared the positive impact this program has on past and present students with the Guelph Community. At Inspiration 2016, Kelly and Jeff were presented with an award for their contribution to the arts.
The evening began with an exciting performance by GCVI’s marching band, who set the tone of the evening and got the audience pumped up when they played the GCVI fight song.
Next, the Making-Box improv team hit the stage and asked for audience volunteers. After receiving an overwhelming amount of support from the audience, several volunteers helped the improv team create a comical sketch where they brought images to life.
This show is called Inspiration for a reason because the next act was truly inspiring. Ranging from ages 5 to 14, the dancers from the Celtic Academy of Canada put so much heart into their performance to Meghan Trainor’s “Better When I’m Dancin’.”
To help calm the mood of the evening down, the St. John’s-Kilmarnock Junior Choir sang two songs, each song encompassing the theme of the show. In mid-November the Royal City Musical Productions Inc., is hitting the stage at the River Run Centre with a production of The Wizard of Oz. Last night they gave a preview of the performance by singing the well-known song “Over the Rainbow.”
Before the evening broke for intermission, students and teachers from Diverse Sounds hit the stage to play several songs. Featuring amazing student and teacher guitarists, the moving sound of a trumpet and ballet dancing, this performance was a great way to end the first part of the evening.
After everyone placed their bids at the intermission silent auction, the show resumed with singer/songwriter Bayla. Bayla played several songs and really brought the house down. During Bayla’s performance, audience members were jumping out of their seats and children were gathering to dance in front of the stage.
Up next the Guelph Youth Singers, Choir III hit the stage, followed by the Guelph Youth Symphony Orchestra. The Guelph Youth Singers sang a moving version of the song “Tundra” by Ola Gjeilo. Looking sharp dressed in black, the Guelph Youth Symphony Orchestra delighted the audience with their rendition of C. Saint-Saens, Bacchanale.
To conclude the show the performers from the evening hit the stage wearing their red Inspiration 2016 t-shirts. Once they were all gathered on stage, in perfect harmony, they sang “The Music’s in Your Heart” by Anneke McCabe. It was the perfect way to conclude the evening, it was so encouraging for the audience to see so many community members working together to support such a great cause.
The UGDSB could not be more proud of the students and teachers that performed in Inspiration 2016. The hard work and talent that went into the performance really paid off. We cannot wait to see what next year’s Inspiration concert has to offer!
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For more information:
Heather Loney, Communications and Community Engagement Officer
Upper Grand District School Board
519-822-4420 ext.725
[email protected]
Megan Sicoli, Administrative Officer, Communications
Upper Grand District School Board
519-822-4420 ext.764
[email protected]
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