Big baNG, North Grenville District High School’s (NGDHS) African drumming group, has had a successful year, winning gold at a national competition, and performing at many local events.

The drumming group is comprised of 49 NGDHS students from Grades 8 to 12, and two organizing teachers, Heather Lance and Robb Brooks. Each member of the group receives a Continuing Education credit towards their high school diploma. The course begins in October of each year and continues until the end of May.

Together, the group performed at seven different events this school year. Most recently, they took home gold at MusicFest Canada, the national competition at the National Arts Centre. Big baNG also received gold at the Capital Region Music Festival in Barrhaven, and took gold and won an award at the Brockville Music Festival. Big baNG also had the opportunity to perform prior to the puck drop at an Ottawa Senators game in March, and performed and delivered workshops at three UCDSB schools.

“This is an incredibly dedicated and kind musical group, who work extremely well as a cohesive unit,” explains Heather Lance. “It has been an amazing year, with many memorable experiences. To perform at the National Arts Centre was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us.”

This is the seventh year that there has been an African drumming group at NGDHS, and the fourth year that students have received credit for joining. Next year, the group is planning to perform at other music festivals to further their musical experiences.

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