| Dave, yes I HAVE heard (and seen) the McGrath "Spirit of Alberta" band on several occaisions. They've got a wonderful program and the kids really do work their tails off. They have been pretty "quiet" these last couple of years: I know that there are some real problems for schools to get adequate government funding (particularly the smaller, rural schools) to support their music programs. I'm sure they are still in operation however: they get 100% parent support.
One of the mandates of our Community Band is to go around to area schools and support their band programs through "joint concerts" to help them raise money for their own band programs so we get to visit two or three schools each year. We haven't been to McGrath yet but we have helped a couple of schools "right around" there. |