CVDCS hosts concerts for Joan Mantle Music Trust

Chelmsford Valley District Composite School, one of this year’s recipients of new instruments from the Joan Mantle Music Trust, will host concerts on Monday, May 9 and Tuesday, May 10, 2011 featuring performers from Chelmsford Valley District Composite School and Chelmsford Public School. The concerts will be held in the gymnasium at Chelmsford Valley District Composite School, 3594 Highway 144 in Chelmsford.

On Monday, there will be a concert at 12:30 pm for students in Grades 7 to 12. Admission is $2 per student.

The entire community is invited to attend the concerts on Monday and Tuesday at 7 pm. Admission to the evening concerts is $5 for adults and $3 for students, to a maximum of $10 per family. There will also be a donations table at the door. All proceeds from these concerts will go to the Joan Mantle Music Trust.

“To date, $83,000 has been raised for the purchase of new instruments in Rainbow Schools, ranging from clarinets and saxophones to trombones, tubas, flutes and more,” said Rainbow District School Board Chair Tyler Campbell. “The community’s ongoing generosity in support of music education will allow Rainbow students to reap the rewards for years to come.” He added: “We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported and continues to support the Joan Mantle Music Trust, enabling us to revitalize music programs in our schools.”

Mike Mirka, Principal of Chelmsford Valley District Composite School, said that both of the participating schools welcome the opportunity to showcase their talented students in support of the Joan Mantle Music Trust. “Music teacher Susan Robinson of Chelmsford Valley District Composite School and Francine MacDonald of Chelmsford Public School have worked together to present these wonderful concerts,” he said. “We invite everyone to join us and share in this musical celebration.”

The Joan Mantle Music Trust was established in the fall of 2008 to help refresh, modernize and revitalize school music programs in the Rainbow District School Board.  “These concerts are our way of saying thanks to the community for its generous contributions to the Joan Mantle Music Trust and to raise money for the Trust so schools can continue to benefit from the purchase of new instruments for students in Rainbow Schools,” said Rainbow District School Board Arts Education Co-ordinator Ralph McIntosh. “It is also a wonderful opportunity for Rainbow Schools in our community to come together and share their music with one another.” He added: “We invite the community to make a donation to help support music education in Rainbow Schools.”

The Joan Mantle Music Trust allocates funds to school music programs in Rainbow District School Board, one school at a time.  This ensures that there is a tangible improvement in the condition of equipment in an entire department, allowing for students to achieve more in their musical studies together.

Joan Mantle dedicated many years to music education in Rainbow Schools. She passed away on June 9, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer.

The Rainbow District School Board provides students with opportunities to increase their musical literacy and develop their creative and critical thinking skills by engaging them in activities that lead them to learn in, about and through music. Musical literacy is the ability to read, write, create and perform music, as well as analyze, interpret and appreciate music from a variety of cultures and historical periods.

Learning in, about and through music is part of a well-rounded education that reinforces academic skills and nurtures life skills. Learning songs and rhythms develops literacy skills. Connecting songs, language and movement encourages brain development. Musical activities improve self-esteem and confidence and promote teamwork and an overall appreciation of the arts.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.