New music teacher begins career in Jasper

In Grade 2, while attending Exeter Public School in Ontario, Jonathan Thornton was asked to draw a picture of what he wanted to be when he grew up. He quickly drew a picture of a man, baton in hand, conducting an orchestra.

Fifteen years later, the boy who grew up wanting to be a high school music teacher has received the chance to fulfill his dream in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

Jonathan Thornton, 23, is the new music teacher at Jasper Jr./Sr. High School, and has high hopes for his new students.

After earning his undergraduate degree at the University of Western Ontario, he graduated with his teacher’s degree from the University of Windsor in May. After applying to 56 school boards across the country, he received a call from Jasper and began working on the school music program. Drawing on a great deal of percussion training, he’s excited to help the music program expand.

“I play anything that can be hit,” Thornton said. “Vibraphone, drums. I also played piano for 13 years and the clarinet.”

Thornton has also played in several bands, ranging from country to symphonic, and is looking for musicians to play with in town. 

“I find it a release... an escape from everything,” Thornton said. “I write a little, but I remember it instead of writing it down. I like to practise other people’s music.”

He’s heading up the community band, which is open to the entire community. He hopes to have the community band ready for a Christmas concert.

With more than 14,000 songs on his Ipod, he says there isn’t much he doesn’t like.

“I listen to funk, country, classical, classic rock and a little bit of rap,” Thornton said, citing Tower of Power and Rascal Flats as influences.

But Thornton lists Debussey as his favourite composer.

“It’s the overall emotion put into everything. The emotion you’re able to put into everything is amazing,” Thornton said.

He hopes to explore some of those pieces with Jasper musicians. While the senior school band currently has 30 members, Thornton would love to see it double in size.

“I try to keep it as varied as possible and explore many aspects,” Thornton said. “The band is already beyond where I’d hope them to be. They’ve already played for the school.”

Thornton also hopes to have his students ready for their next concert on Nov. 4 at the high school at 7 p.m. 

“They’ll be playing selections from Grease, fun, fun, fun... it will be a nice variety of their repertoire,” Thornton said.