A Lesson in Harmony as St. Thomas Orchestra Joins the West Island Youth Symphony Orchestra
by Dan Mullins
The auditorium at St. Thomas High School was already buzzing with energy when the first notes of the Disney Medley rang out, setting the tone for a collaboration that had been months in the making. Conducted by music teacher Susan Strunc, the St. Thomas Symphonic Orchestra joined forces with the West Island Youth Symphony Orchestra (WIYSO) for a special segment of a concert that showcased not only technical excellence, but something more elusive: joy.
The full concert, presented by WIYSO, featured a range of orchestral works performed by the organization’s main ensemble and its String Orchestra. Midway through the program, WIYSO was joined by the St. Thomas Symphonic Orchestra for a joint performance under Strunc’s direction—an collaboration of newer and more experienced musicians that marked a highlight of the evening.
For Strunc, the moment felt nearly transcendent. “I think at one point I actually stopped breathing,” she said. “I was so mesmerized. Everyone played better than they had in rehearsal. They proved what they were capable of.”
The collaboration brought together roughly 40 current St. Thomas students, several alumni, and a number of university and CEGEP musicians from the Youth Symphony Orchestra. For many students, it was the first time they had performed alongside more experienced musicians. “It was really immersive,” said Grade 7 trombonist Mila St-Jean. “You learn more about your instrument and how more advanced players sound.”
Grade 9 violinist Andrea Denisa Hunter described the experience as a musical reunion. “Music brought us together,” she said of her classmates.
She and fellow student Layla Hamarshah spoke with warmth about the blend of Disney film favorites, Pink Panther, Coldplay classics, Ode to Joy, and Carmina Burana. “They’re all so different,” Hunter said. “It’s just amazing.”
Strunc carefully chose the repertoire with both challenge and accessibility in mind, modifying parts to ensure all students could contribute meaningfully. The effort paid off, especially in the more complex works. “Carmina Burana was the biggest technical challenge,” she explained. “It’s mentally exhausting, but very rewarding. It’s like doing parkour—you have to be alert and ready for every twist.”
For Strunc, who has been teaching for 19 years and built the current symphonic orchestra as an extracurricular ensemble, the concert was a culmination of years of reformation since the merger of Lindsay Place and St. Thomas. “We’ve been rebuilding these last four years,” she said. “It’s gotten better every year.”
Beyond technique, what emerged most clearly was the deep sense of pride and connection among the performers. Grade 8 tenor saxophonist Danté Roc described the opportunity to play with more experienced musicians as inspiring. “If you’re struggling with the piece, you can really hear how good it is when you play with very experienced players.”
Strunc echoed the value of those intergenerational moments. “It warmed my heart to see alumni on stage with my students,” she said. “Music doesn’t stop when you graduate high school.”
The concert marked a return to a kind of musical continuity that had been disrupted in recent years. In earlier decades, Lindsay Place students often attended or participated in Youth Symphony events. Now, Strunc sees the renewed collaboration as part of a broader movement to reignite live music for young people.
The Performance
The complete recording of the five pieces performed by the St. Thomas Symphonic Orchestra and the West Island Youth Symphony Orchestra together.
“Students need goals,” she said. “When they play alongside more advanced musicians, it makes them want to rise to the occasion.”
The result was a performance that felt like more than the sum of its parts. The video and audio recordings, to be included here, will offer a glimpse of what it sounded like. But for those in the auditorium, the memory lingers.
“The spirit of the concert was glee,” Strunc said. “The students were delighted. Many told me they’d never played so well in their lives. That’s the kind of moment they’ll remember.”
