We’re a group of students raising funds to make sure every student has a chance to be part of the entirety of an amazing music program.
The Woodlands music program is more than just rehearsals and performances, it’s where students find their voice, grow as musicians, and build lasting friendships. Every morning at 7 a.m., the music rooms come alive with dedication, creativity, and passion.
Led by our passionate teachers, Ms. Jack and Mr. Mootrey, our program has achieved incredible success, from winning Gold at local festivals in Ontario to competing and winning prestigious out-of-province competitions in New York and Chicago.
However, behind these big moments are real challenges. Many students can’t afford the hefty competition entry fees and their associated travel costs, often forcing us to perform without them.
Your support will help:
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Cover and subsidize competition and festival costs/entry fees, ensuring every student can participate.
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Provide and maintain quality instruments for students in need
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Keep the program accessible, sustainable, and thriving for years to come
Who Are We?
The Woods in Video ✷✷✷
The Woodlands' music department is a vibrant hub for students to unleash their creativity, foster social connections, and hone their musical talents. Starting as early as 7 a.m. each morning, the music rooms come alive with rehearsals, mentoring sessions, and ensemble collaborations. Under the leadership of music teachers Laura Jack and Sean Mootrey and the tireless efforts of students, The Woodlands music program is flourishing, which has led to numerous successes over the past few years.
In the past 3 years, the Woodlands Music Program has participated in, qualified for, and won numerous regional, national, and international competitions and music festivals, including the:
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Ontario Band Association Festival 2023 (Gold & Silver)
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York University Jazz Festival 2023
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MusicFest Nationals 2023, Niagara Falls (1 Gold, 2 Silvers)
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Golden Horseshoe Music Festival 2024 (2 Golds, 1 Silver)
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Humber Jazz Festival 2024
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Golden Horshoe Music Festival 2025 (Gold & Silver)
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Next Generation Jazz Festival 2025
The growing success of The Woodlands' music program led the Senior Concert Band and Senior Jazz Band to compete at the 2024 Heritage Festival in New York City.
This opportunity allowed students to showcase their talents on an international stage and benefit from private clinic sessions with renowned music educators from NYU and The New School. During these sessions, each group spent 1.5 hours refining their performance pieces and receiving feedback that elevated their performance skills.
The trip was both enriching and successful, with the Senior Jazz Band earning Silver and the Senior Concert Band earning Gold as well as securing an invitation to the prestigious 2025 Festival of Gold in Chicago, where many other highly experienced and skilled ensembles go to perform.
In Chicago, the Woodlands Music Program excelled in their performances, with the Senior Jazz Band winning an Outstanding Award for being the top band overall in their category, as well as a Maestro Award for the virtuosity of their soloists. The Senior Concert Band also swept their respective category, emerging on top with the overall highest score out of the other concert bands.
In addition to local, regional and international successes, The Woodlands ensembles dazzle home audiences during seasonal concerts like the Snow Show and Springfest and participate in broader arts collaborations in the Peel Region, such as Artsfest and the Peel Arts Symposium.
Many students, through a combination of their hard work and the unwavering support of the music program's directors and peers have pursued further interests in music.
For example, many musicians have performed for prestigious honour bands such as the Ontario Provincial Honour Band and the Jack Long/Denis Wick Honour Band, while others have joined the Mississauga Symphony Youth Orchestra as long-term members. Some students have even decided to pursue music as a post-secondary study at prestigious universities such as the University of Toronto.
The Quibble Quartet, a saxophone quartet formed by senior (now alumni) band students, were able to successfully audition, qualify, and perform at the prestigious Niagara Jazz Festival.
Some excerpts from the official PDSB newsletter have been included in this description. You can find the original article here: https://www.peelschools.org/news/striking-a-chord-music-is-thriving-at-the-woodlands
Striking a ✷✷ Chord
What the Woodlands Music
Program is Really About
Yara Mohammed
Grade 11 Percussionist
Being part of the Woodlands Music Program really makes me feel like I belong somewhere in this school, and that I have a family who shares my passion in music. In just two years, I've had so many memorable experiences, growing both as a musician and as a person. I'm so grateful to Ms. Jack who fosters growth in every student and really ties our community together. She's helped me so much and given me opportunities to develop my skills inside and outside of school (notably helping me get into the MSYO which was a goal of mine!) I look forward to every morning rehearsal, sectional and after-school practice session. Performances especially are so exhilarating and give you a sense of pride, accomplishment and communion afterwards. It's the most gratifying thing in the world to practice the talents that make you special and blow everyone away alongside good friends.
Jasmine Tao
Alumni Clarinetist
music is about the unwavering support and community that everyone brings to the table. its about jamming, making friends, and creating memories with as much music as possible. from 7 am band rehearsals to exciting once in a year competitons, everyone will feel a sense of family as they get to know their peers and their instruments better.
Isaac Chu
Grade 12 Clarinetist
Joining band has completely transformed my life. Everything is great here. Ms. Jack is funny, everyone is friendly, and I honestly can't think of anything I don't like about band (other than practicing). I always enjoy going on festivals with the rest of the band and making music for others to hear. I don't know if she hears it enough but I'm super grateful for Ms. Jack. Who knew music could be funny?
Yajas Bathala
Grade 10 Tubist
Although my time in the Woodlands music program has been short, it has been indubitably influential. I had an amazing experience both in the Instrumental Music course and Music Repertoire course. Both teachers, Mrs. Jack and Mr. Mootrey, have been incredibly supportive through our collective journey and have shown me a new perspective on things. Going into highschool, I was never really a fan of music. However, this music program, especially Mrs. Jack, have completely changed my mind and I now plan on continuing music throughout the next 4 years. My most memorable moment was definitely from band, when we won Silver+ for our efforts in GHMF, seeing our months of work come to a final, rewarding culmination.
Wenya Wang
Grade 12 Flautist
The band community has been irreplaceable at school - some of my closest friends are people I never would have met without connecting through the music program. I'm especially grateful for the sense of belonging the music room brings, and the hard work of all my classmates and teachers. Band is awesome :)
Jayden Maharaj
Grade 12 Trombonist
Band changed me as a person because it encouraged me to be more social with others. I am an extremely introverted person and I find it difficult to interact with others, but when you're playing next to people who are playing the same instrument as you, you realize it's actually quite easy. The most memorable moments are the concerts, whether it be the snow show/springfest or just any general music festival. I'm grateful for the detailed personalized feedback I receive from teachers.
Student ✷✷✷ Testimonies
What we think of the Woodlands Music Program
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@green_light_society
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