Mike Townsend recognized with award from Alberta Band Association
By Crystal Rhyno
Grande Prairie Herald-Tribune
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| Photo: Crystal Rhyno |
The supervisor of music for the Grande Prairie Public School District is the recipient of
the 2008 Vondis Miller Legacy Award presented by the Alberta Band Association.
Mike Townsend received the honour earlier this month at the association’s annual convention in Red Deer. “It’s a very big honour,” said Townsend, who has lived and worked in Grande Prairie for 38 years. “Just to be included in the same group as the people who have received the award is definitely an honour.” Named after prominent bandleader Vondis Miller, the award is given to bandleaders who have led consistent quality programs throughout the years.
Born in Red Deer, Townsend majored in music at the University of Alberta, Red Deer College and Grande Prairie Regional College. He plays most instruments, but the trombone is his principal instrument. Although he is officially retired, the 58-year-old travels from school to school to run the music programs. “Our program is still very healthy and successful,” said Townsend. “Enrolment has not changed considerably over the years. We still have the only total music program offered in the schools in Western Canada. We offer band, orchestra, and choir at junior high and high school levels. We also offer general music at the elementary level.”
He said what makes the district’s programs unique is the orchestra. “Virtually every school has
a band program,” said Townsend. “Many have a band and choral program, but no one else
in this province has a string program as well. Other string programs exist in major centres like Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria. There are some after-school programs.”
Townsend said there are countless reasons why interest in music programs will continue to thrive. “One, it gives a creative outlet for students that they wouldn’t get in their regular academics,” he said. “It gives them an opportunity to learn an activity they can use in their free time, in their relaxation time. It expands horizons. If they only learn reading, writing and arithmetic and stay away from the arts, they aren’t nearly the well-rounded person they should be.”
At this point, Townsend said, he does not have a plan to return as supervisor next year, but this could change. “When you are having fun, why work? That’s how it goes,” he laughed. “You get some teachers who are burned out after 12 years or so. Well, I can’t see it. Maybe they should not have been in teaching in the first place. At this end of things, it is always rewarding. You work through the noon hours, you work until late night, but it is just normal. It’s not work.”