This is the first year Yellowknife Catholic Schools has had a band program. After only two months of practice the first Catholic school elementary band hit the stage.

Playing at Weledeh School's Christmas concert before a crowd of 300, band teacher for the jurisdiction Dave Hugg said he was impressed.

"Weledeh's practise went quite well. The kids were all excited," he said.

St. Patrick high school and Ecole St. Joseph will both be playing this week.

St. Joe's will play at the Catholic School board meeting tonight, which will be held at the school. St. Pat's will play on Friday afternoon during a school concert.

"The kids are thrilled and really pumped up," said Hugg.

Hugg has been teaching band for seven years and is no stranger to working with more than one school.

For the past six years he worked in the Shamrock School Division in Saskatchewan where he was the band teacher with seven schools. Although three schools is a little easier, he said, there are still are some challenges.

"There are things I hadn't anticipated and a lot of things I did anticipate. It's been a learning experience," he said.

"I'm getting all kinds of support from all the administration and teachers here."

Hugg said he came up for the chance to start the band program.

There are 210 students enroled in band for its inaugural year. Superintendent Kern Von Hagen, who attended the Weledeh concert, said they sounded great.

The division invested $67,000 to pay primarily for instruments, $5,000 was used to improve sound in the band rooms, and the salary of the band teacher.