In March, 2008, the Enver Creek Secondary School from Surrey, BC, Canada concert band, which consisted of 75 students, successfully held a series of performances in China on the Great Wall, Ba Yi Secondary School in Beijing, and Xi’an Conservatory of Music. This concert band is proudly led and directed by Mr. Alan Henderson, the music head at Enver Creek. During the 9-day stay, all students felt extremely honored and were excited to be the first band members to have ever performed on Tianjiao’s music tour.

The entire group had been preparing for this once-in-a-lifetime experience for almost two years and is very thankful for the opportunity to learn about China’s ancient history, geography, customs, and culture in this truly unique music exchange program. This group of students, parents, and educators, Surrey School Board trustee Ms. Laurae McNally and school Principal Mr. Michael Jellema, although kept with exchange performances with Chinese school bands, also got to enjoy the exciting sights, scenery and learn about one of the oldest nations in the world.

In an interview conducted by China Central Television (CCTV), the national television network of the People’s Republic of China, both Ms. Laurae McNally and Mr. Michael Jellema commented this trip was extremely successful and they would like to recommend Tianjiao’s Music Program to all School Trustees, band teachers, and students in British Columbia. 

‘ We chose the music program because it provides the opportunity for students to experience the different culture, probably a once a lifetime opportunity to go somewhere else. Many of our students probably would not have this opportunity without this particular program…

… I would say it was very successful; lots of things going on for our students, keeping them busy, and seeing different things all day long. And, today’s performance just really made impression on myself. It is a great experience to see different schools, private school and public school. It is a great experience for our kids’.

 Michael Jellema
                                                                                 School Principal
                                                                                 Enver Creek Secondary School