On Monday, May 4th, the Bishop Allen Academy cafeteria underwent its annual transformation, trading lunch tables for concert seats. In a unique convergence of Catholic Education Week, Mental Health Week, and the national celebration of Music Monday, Bishop Allen Academy hosted a high-energy concert series that bridged elementary and secondary students through a shared love of music.
The Morning Set: Bishop Allen Academy and St. Mark
The day began with Bishop Allen welcoming students from St. Mark Catholic Elementary School, who were treated to a swinging jazz set by the Bishop Allen Big Band. Beyond the performance, the younger students were introduced to the foundational elements of music and the art of improvisation. The ensemble served as the perfect opening act for one of Toronto’s hardest-grooving professional groups: Big Smoke Brass.
The highlight of the morning was a large collaborative finale. The BA Big Band joined forces with Big Smoke Brass for a series of powerful performances, including “Hold On,” the official theme for Music Monday. In a spirited tribute to May the 4th, the combined bands also performed an original, high-energy arrangement of music from Star Wars.
From the Stage to the Classroom
Following the concert, members of Big Smoke Brass moved from the stage to the classroom. Each professional musician led instrument-specific masterclasses for Bishop Allen Grade 10 students, offering workshops focused on technical fundamentals and professional performance tips.
An Evening of Excellence: TCDSB Music Enrichment Program
The music continued into the evening at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts for the annual Music Enrichment Program Spring Concert. The evening featured three ensembles supported by a dedicated team of student mentors from Cardinal Carter:
Voce Choir: Directed by Mark Huang (Retired)
Side by Side Strings: Directed by Daniela Gassi (Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts)
TCDSB Honour Band: Directed by Davide Garofalo (Bishop Allen Academy)
A particularly proud moment for the community was seeing several students take the podium. Cardinal Carter students Jacob P., Melanie Y., and Angelina Z., along with alumnus Ted H., conducted pieces for the Side by Side Strings, while Thomas V. and Deneb C. conducted the TCDSB Honour Band.
The night concluded with Big Smoke Brass returning to the stage to perform Bruno Mars classics alongside the Honour Band, bringing the day to a grand finale.
Production Credits
Bishop Allen Music Monday: Organized by Davide Garofalo
TCDSB Spring Concert Producers: Daniela Gassi, Mark Huang, and Davide Garofalo
Music Enrichment Program Support: Music Resource Teacher Andrea Cannon and Superintendent Michael Caccamo
Technical and Event Support
Special thanks to Anselm Kerkos-De Souza for technical support at Bishop Allen and Jordan Sim and the Carter tech crew at Cardinal Carter. Gratitude is extended to Maria Talarico (St. Jerome), Andrea Cannon (CEC), and Jason Paolella (CEC) for providing evening supervision at Cardinal Carter. Sincere thanks also go to Ms. Anita Anton and the Cardinal Carter Mentors Council for their vital support and coordination of the evening concert.
Administrative Support
Thank you to Principal Anna Patejczuk of Bishop Allen Academy and Principal Linton Soares of Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts for their hospitality and continued support of the TCDSB music community.
Musical Directors: Mark Huang, Daniela Gassi, and Davide Garofalo
Participating Schools
Thank you to all the students, musicians, and vocalists who made Music Monday and the annual Spring Concert such a success.
Secondary: Bishop Allen Academy, Brebeuf College, Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts
Elementary: Blessed Sacrament, Holy Cross, Holy Rosary, James Culnan, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Wisdom, St. Agnes, St. Antoine Daniel, St. Bonaventure, St. Charles Garnier, St. Clare, St. Conrad, St. Cyril, St. Edward, St. Gabriel, St. Jerome, St. John the Evangelist, St. Marcellus, St. Mark, St. Martha, St. Monica, St. Nicholas, St. Paschal Baylon, St. Raphael, St. Robert, St. Simon, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Wilfrid.
