The values and traditions of the Band and Choral programs at the Weyburn Comprehensive School will continue on thanks to the passing of the torch, or baton.

Last week we heard from the Musical Director and Band Teacher at WCS, Tanya Cameron, on her retirement plans. Her successor, Brayden Jensen, is one of her former students.

In fact, once upon a time, Cameron literally 'passed the baton' to Jensen, assuredly knowing he would become a Maestro. 

"When I graduated from the Comp in Weyburn, her grad gift to me was, actually she gave me one of her batons, and then two new ones as well, and kind of a baton case, kind of in preparation of where I was headed." 

Jensen did his undergraduate degree in Performance Arts, then realized his true passion was working with kids. 

"I would do head start clinics, and clinics in Regina around the university area," he shared. "I guess, through that, I realized I really wanted to teach, so I finished that degree and then did my after-Ed degree at the U of R as well." 

Jensen has been teaching in Rocanville since 2014. 

"I actually started and developed their band program here when I started here. They didn't have band. It had been cancelled for a couple of years," he explained, noting he also taught RTI, Math, and English, as the school was small.

"I ended up teaching lots of things, and I learned a lot, but I'm really excited to be at the Comp and kind of being able to focus on Band and music," he shared.

Since Jensen graduated, there have been some impressive renovations at the school - in particular to the performing arts facilities.

"When I was in high school, we had the old Band room, and the old cafeteria for concerts, but I've definitely seen the new spaces, and just the space itself at the Comp is top-notch with the theatre and the Band room, so it'll be nice."

He said he's still in the process of selling his house and finding one in the 'Opportunity City', but his plan is to relocate over the summer. When he's here, Jensen said he's glad to know Tanya Cameron will be around to help him learn the ropes and to substitute teach his Band classes if he's out for any reason.

peopleBrayden Jensen at his graduation with his mentor Tanya Cameron.

Tanya Cameron said Brayden is, "an amazing pianist and also sax player." 

She pointed out that Jensen has had eight years of teaching experience in Rocanville, SK. 

"So he's not a new teacher. He's got some good experience. He has done some musical experience there as well and he always played in the Pit Band for our musicals when he was in school, he always played piano."

She said it's also special to her because Jensen had taught her daughters piano lessons. In fact, they were in on the baton-passing.

"I also threw in one of my old batons in there as a present, and it's really cool that now it's sort of come full circle and he's coming back to take over my position." 

"I'm so happy that I know I'm leaving it in good hands, with somebody who wants to build the program again after COVID," she commented. "We want to get some of the students back and involved now that things are getting back on track, so that's his main goal is to really keep building, and keep doing those things that we've been doing." 
 
Jensen will be teaching Band, as well as the Junior Choir and the Jazz Bands beginning in September. 

"And then I'll be doing the musicals as well," he said. "[Tanya]'s kind of started the tradition of doing the junior musical in the fall and the senior musical in the spring, and I hope to carry on that tradition."

"I know that there are lots of great people at the high school there that will help out as well. I know that Holly Butz teaches the Senior Choir and the Stars Choir, so I'll definitely be looking forward to working with her. She actually taught me when I was in elementary school as well, so it'll be neat to work with her."

A full circle journey should prove fruitful for the next generation of Band students here in Weyburn.