RDPC Band Room Grand Opening
The brand-new music facility at R.D. Parker Collegiate is open for student use. The School District of Mystery Lake is thrilled about this addition to the youth music program in Thompson. R.D. Parker serves as the hub of musical education, working with hundreds of students from Grade 6 to Grade 12 across the community. Many, if not most, elementary schools in town outsource their music programs to the high school. On Thursday, January 23, 2025, the R.D. Parker Band Program hosted a grand opening ceremony to introduce the community to the facility. Performances were held by our jazz vocal group, Vocal Motion, the Intermediate Jazz ensemble, and the Adrenaline Jazz band.
In attendance at the grand opening ceremony were prominent figures on the Thompson Council, Indigenous Elders, R.D. Parker administrators, SDML board members and band program directors. Jeff French, principal of R.D. Parker gave a promising speech explaining the importance of conjoining art and academia and sang praises to the new music facility. Music director, Ms. McKinnon spoke about the students’ resound drive to show up and learn music. She also mentioned the new music room was a great boost for morale.
An interview with Mr. Kevin Lewis revealed the project from behind the scenes. Mr. Lewis said, “The music facility has been in the works for 25 years.” Previous music director, Bob Miller and SDML Facility Coordinator, Keith Durksen applied to the Canadian government for a grant to build a new music facility. The old band room was unsafe for students and the lack of sound absorption was causing sustained hearing damage to students and staff. Government changes delayed the project, and the RDPC Music Program had to reapply for the grant. Luckily, it was approved, and the project was green lit 3-4 years ago. Construction began in February 2023, and students were allowed to work in the new band room starting December last year.
When asked how RDPC and surrounding schools will benefit from a new band room; Mr. Lewis responded by pointing out, “sound pads on the walls and ceiling cushion loud volumetric sound that comes out of 60 to 70 students playing at once.” Brown cork boards line the walls in the old band room, which do not serve as sufficient sound absorption. After class, students would walk out with headaches and ringing ears.
Professionals measured the decibels in the room during a regular practice session with a full ensemble and admitted it was dangerously loud. Mr. Lewis is relieved to have a facility that gives better sound and protects the hearing of everyone in the music program.
Musicians working in the new space also benefit from “transparency in acoustics,” by gauging their loudness since sound isn’t bouncing off the walls as much. This allows students to mesh their playing with the rest of the band to create a better, balanced sound. The RDPC band director expects great things to come, and Lewis thinks “It’s a beautiful space.”
