Music has a unique power to bridge distances, and this school year, students from Airdrie’s W.H. Croxford High School experienced that magic firsthand. Through the Experiences Canada program, W.H. Croxford participated in a memorable cultural and musical exchange with Leo Hayes High School in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Despite spending only a short time together, young musicians from both schools formed meaningful friendships and created lasting memories, united by their shared passion for music.
“This exchange was an enriching and unforgettable experience for everyone involved,” says Christine Trac, Band & Music Academy Teacher at W.H. Croxford High School.
“The friendships, musical growth, and cultural understanding developed through this exchange will continue to have a lasting impact on students for years to come.”
Striking Gold in the East
The cross-country adventure began on April 29, when W.H. Croxford students travelled east. Their first stop was Halifax, Nova Scotia, to participate in the prestigious Atlantic Festival of Music. The school’s concert band and jazz band represented W.H. Croxford with excellence, bringing home serious accolades.
The concert band earned a silver trophy, while the jazz band secured gold. To cap off an already outstanding performance, the jazz band also earned an invitation to attend MusicFest Nationals during the 2026/2027 school year.
Following their festival success, the students continued to Fredericton to meet their twin school, Leo Hayes High School. Throughout the week, the two groups built deep connections through team-building activities, shared meals, games, and collaborative performances.
“The best part of the exchange program, for me, was meeting so many new people and forming friendships with others who share the same passion for music,” says Sriram Raichur, Grade 10 student at W.H. Croxford.
“Just as meaningful was creating unforgettable memories with my existing friends and strengthening those bonds along the way. While the tour itself was an incredible experience, it was the friendships, connections, and memories that made it truly unforgettable.”
The W.H. Croxford musicians joined Leo Hayes students on stage for the school’s Mother’s Day tea and year-end concert. They also extended their reach into the local community with a special performance at Gibson-Neill Memorial Elementary School.
Tight-Knit Community
Beyond the sheet music, the remainder of the New Brunswick experience focused on cultural learning and exploration. Students immersed themselves in East Coast culture, learning about maple syrup production at Dumfries Maples, exploring marine life at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, and discovering the history of chocolate at the Ganong Chocolatier Museum. These diverse activities further strengthened their bonds as a tight-knit musical community.
“I never realized that it was possible to learn so much from a stranger just based on how they did an improv solo,” says Kenzie Acheson, Grade 11 student at W.H. Croxford.
“I have never felt so close to a group of people I had just met. Continuing both my musical and personal journey, I will forever be grateful for the connections I got to make with the Leo Hayes High School Band program, and I will treasure the friendships that were made during those days we spent together.”
The exchange came full circle when Leo Hayes High School made the return journey to Alberta from May 14 to May 22. During their visit to the Calgary area, the East Coast students once again connected through the arts. A major highlight included attending the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra’s spectacular performance of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
Leo Hayes students also got a chance to experience some of Alberta’s most iconic destinations, including Banff National Park, the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, and downtown Calgary.
A Lasting Musical Bond
The collaborative spirit continued back in the school gymnasium at W.H. Croxford, where the two bands performed together for an enthusiastic audience of parents, students, and members of the broader community. Mirroring the meaningful outreach experience that W.H. Croxford enjoyed in Fredericton, the Leo Hayes students also extended their local community connections by performing with students from Windsong Heights School.
The students of W.H. Croxford and Leo Hayes High School proved that music is a universal language—one that builds community, fosters excellence, and creates friendships that endure long after the final note is played.
