Aaron’s the star of 16th music night

Aaron’s the star of 16th music night

Columns

By: Jim Thomas

Whitchurch-Stouffville has a host of young and talented musicians.

All are products of an education system that, despite cutbacks, has continued to produce vocal and instrumental graduates second to none in York Region.

One of these is 18-year-old Aaron Clubine, a student enrolled in a bachelor of fine arts in music degree at York University.

Aaron will receive a $200 award Nov. 1 when St. James Presbyterian Church, Stouffville, hosts its 16th annual Student Music Scholarship concert at Stouffville District Secondary School.

Over the years, others similarly honoured include: Georgina Muir, Clara Jordan, Jocelyn McDowell, Cameron MacKenzie, Kathryne Irwin, Carley MacLean, Lillian Wild, Jennifer Thunem and Kirstie Hembruff.

Rev. Kathryn Strachan, pastor at St. James, will make the scholarship presentation.

Other schools taking part are: St. Mark, Whitchurch Highlands, St. Brigid, Stouffville Christian, Ballantrae, Summitview and SDSS.

During the past 15 years, more than $57,000 has been raised, all monies divided among participating schools to assist their music programs.

While the evening will showcase the talents of hundreds of students, the spotlight will focus on Aaron, a prodigy whose skills on keyboard and percussion won him two university scholarships plus the high school’s E.M. Hawley award.

None of these accolades comes as a surprise to those following Aaron’s career. For even at a young age, while attending Orchard Park Public School, his love of music was evident. This enjoyment was heightened by his piano teachers, Sharon Wilkinson and Louise Clarke, and SDSS band leader Dan McConnachie.

He’s working on Grade 10 piano and Grade 3 theory. The steel drum is also part of his instrumental itinerary. At York, he plays in a percussion ensemble.

Aaron says his career was greatly influenced by Mrs. Wilkinson.

He’s equally praiseworthy of Mr. McConnachie.

“As a teacher, he was all business but outside the classroom, he was one of us. He would always take time to listen to students’ problems. He was down to earth and very approachable.”

While attending SDSS, Aaron was a member of the songwriters club. With the band, he played at several Kiwanis and Lions-sponsored festivals in Toronto and Newmarket.

One Christmas, he played percussion with Stouffville’s Bach to Blues Company.

“Music’s my hobby,” he says. He’d also like to make it his profession. At this point in time, he’s leaning towards a teaching career but admits a future vocation is still being considered.

Aaron commutes daily from Stouffville, a situation that presents no problems. By living at home, he can practise evenings and weekends on his keyboard and drum, the latter a gift from his mother.

“My parents have been very supportive,” he says. “My mother’s helped me a lot.”

Although his Grade 12 year was spent at the new high school, Aaron still looks back nostalgically on his old alma mater.

He describes former band members as “like family”.

While the move from secondary school to university posed a challenge, Aaron says he’s been able to bridge the gap without difficulty.

“Truth is, I’m having a blast,” he said.

He’s also enjoying an association with the minister and congregation at Stouffville Memorial Christian Church where he plays piano. At a special fundraiser last week, he provided  a steel drum solo.

After receiving the award, Aaron will perform one of his own compositions, A Clown’s Ballad.

Sun-Tribune editor Jim Mason and his daughter Jennifer will again emcee the show, the only one of its kind in York Region.

The organizing committee includes Gayle Atkinson, Stewart McElroy, Jim Paterson and myself.

Adult admission is $5.      

Jim Thomas is a Stouffville resident who has written for area newspapers for more than 50 years.

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