On March 21, 2025, three Upper Grand District School Board high schools are combining their talents for an annual concert.
Centennial CVI's Symphonic Winds, John F. Ross CVI's Symphonic Band, and Guelph CVI's Senior Symphonic Band will take the stage at the EL Fox Auditorium.
This year, the bands are taking things to a new level with the world premiere of a brand-new piece written for the three schools. The piece is entitled "Coat of Arms" and is written by award winning Canadian Composer Matt Neufeld. Matt will be flying in from Winnipeg for the event, all sponsored by the UGDSB's Specialist High Skills Major Program.
In the afternoon the schools will put on a concert for the local elementary students, followed by the evening concert at John F. Ross starting at 7pm. The concert is free and open to the public with donations being taken at the door to support music education in the UGDSB.
The concert will feature all music written and conducted by Matt Neufeld with the finale being the premiere of "Coat of Arms." The piece is written in three movements; The Axeman, The Spirit of Royalty, and The Running Horse, to represent the three different schools combining as well as celebration of the City of Guelph Coat of Arms.