Board congratulates recipients of the 2010 Joan Mantle Music Trust Awards

This year’s recipients of new instruments from the Joan Mantle Music Trust performed community concerts in May, including Lockerby Composite School, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School and MacLeod Public School. All bands joined together for the grand finale conducted by Leslie Mantle.

From left, Scott Mantle, Leslie Mantle and Jack Martin present new instruments to Kelsie Charbonneau, a member of the Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School Senior Concert Band and Senior Jazz Band; Diesel Wickramasinghe of the MacLeod Public School Band; and Basilio Bagnatto, a member of the Lockerby Composite School Viking 5 Jazz Combo, Concert Band and Jazz Band.

Rainbow District School Board Director of Education, Jean Hanson, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2010 Joan Mantle Music Trust Awards.

Mark Mancini of Lockerby Composite School, Ellen Andrews of Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, Kyle Blaseg of Lasalle Secondary School, Stacy Fleming of Sudbury Secondary School and Naomi Goldsack of MacLeod Public School received commemorative plaques for their excellence in music, academics and community involvement. Mantle family representatives presented the awards at respective graduation ceremonies.

“These schools have received funds from the Joan Mantle Music Trust to purchase new instruments,” said Director Hanson. “The instruments were made possible thanks to the generous contributions of our community who have supported the fund since its inception.”

She added: “This year’s award recipients represent the breadth and depth of music education in Rainbow Schools where students have opportunities to participate in a variety of bands. The quality of our music programs reflects the commitment of our music educators who deserve to be commended for their tremendous efforts.”

The Joan Mantle Music Trust was established in memory of music educator Joan Mantle to help refresh, modernize and revitalize school music programs in the Rainbow District School Board. 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.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,

Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,

Rainbow District School Board, 674-3171, ext. 7217.