April 18: Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School hosts Community Concert

Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, one of this year’s recipients of new instruments from the Joan Mantle Music Trust, will host a Community Concert on Thursday, April 18th, 2013. The concert will take place at 7 pm in the gym at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, 275 Loach’s Road. Donations will be collected at the door, with all proceeds going to the Joan Mantle Music Trust.

Close to 80 students and staff will come together to produce the concert, which will showcase the Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School Junior and Senior Concert Bands and Stage Bands. The concert will feature a blend of popular and traditional music in a variety of styles from classical to jazz.

“The concert will appeal to music lovers of all ages,” said Principal Craig Runciman. He added: “Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School would like to thank the Joan Mantle Music Trust for supporting music education. We welcome this opportunity to give back to the community and showcase our talented students.”

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. The Trust allocates funding for musical instruments and equipment to schools on a rotating basis. The Trust also accepts donations of new and used musical instruments. This ensures that there is an ongoing improvement in the condition of musical equipment throughout the Board, 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. Making connections between songs, language and movement encourages creativity and critical thinking. Music also improves self-esteem and confidence, and promotes 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.