Hitting High Notes: Students benefit from the Joan Mantle Music Trust

Students in Rainbow Schools continue to benefit from the Joan Mantle Music Trust with new instruments made possible thanks to generous donations from the community, including Newcap Radio who recently contributed $7,500. “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," 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.”

Front row, from left:

Thomas Rideout, Lively District Secondary School; Brady Viau, Chelmsford Valley District Composite School; Dr. Ross Mantle; Ian White, Lively District Secondary School; Mark Savard, music teacher, Lasalle Secondary School; and back row, from left,  Brittany Manninen, Lively District Secondary School; Sue Robinson, music teacher, Chelmsford Valley District Composite School; Jack Martin, husband of the late Joan Mantle; Tyler Campbell, Chair, Rainbow District School Board; Wendy Watson, General Manager of Newcap Radio; Mitchell McIntyre, Sudbury Secondary School, Leslie Mantle, Principal, Lively District Secondary School; and Mackenzie Kadwell, Lasalle Secondary School.

Students in Rainbow Schools continue to benefit from the Joan Mantle Music Trust thanks to generous donations from the community. Chelmsford Valley District Composite School, Lively District Secondary School and Manitoulin Secondary School will receive new instruments this year. Lasalle Secondary School, Sudbury Secondary School, Lockerby Composite School, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School and MacLeod Public School have already benefited from the Trust, which was launched in the fall of 2008.

“To date, $65,000 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.”

An important supporter has been Newcap Radio, owners of Rewind 103.9 FM and Hot 93.5 in Sudbury. Newcap recently donated $7,500 to the Joan Mantle Music Trust – their second donation as part of a multi-year commitment through their Canadian Content Development initiative. “At Newcap Radio, we believe in giving back to the community,” said General Manager Wendy Watson. “We welcome this opportunity to help nurture our next generation of musicians and look forward to supporting the trust in the years ahead.”
 
The Joan Mantle Music Trust honours Joan Mantle, a long-time educator who made an immense contribution to music education locally. Joan Mantle passed away on June 9, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer. "It is so heartwarming for the entire family to see our mother’s love of music live on in the young people who are enjoying these new instruments,” said Ross Mantle. “We are truly grateful to Newcap Radio and all of the other community donors who have made this rich legacy possible.”

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.

To thank the community for its contributions, the recipient schools will host community concerts that will appeal to music lovers of all ages. The concerts will also feature student musicians from various Rainbow elementary schools. Brôche à Foin, a jazz combo featuring local teacher musicians, will host a CD release concert in support of the Trust.

Schedule of Joan Mantle Music Trust Community Concerts:

Saturday, October 16, 2010 – 8 pm

Broche à Foin Community Concert and CD Release
Sudbury Secondary School

The members of Broche à Foin include Philip May (drums), Peter Scherzinger (trumpet), Gary DiSalle (guitar), Joe Reda (bass) and Jean-Yves Bégin (saxophone). They are all seasoned music professionals with an extensive repertoire ranging from jazz to blues to country to classical. They have performed with well-known local performers such as Patricia Cano, Stéphane Paquette and Philip Candelaria, and have shared the stage with many Canadian jazz greats such as Jeff Healey, Holly Cole, Ed Bickert, Reg Schwager and Richard Underhill, to name a few.

Thursday, December 2, 2010 – 7 pm

Manitoulin Secondary School Community Concert
Manitoulin Secondary School
Also featuring surrounding elementary schools

Tuesday, December 21, 2010 – 1 pm and 7 pm

Lively District Secondary School Community Concert
Lively District Secondary School
Also featuring surrounding elementary schools

Monday, May 9, 2011 and Tuesday, May 10, 2011 – 7 pm

Chelmsford Valley District Composite School Community Concert
Chelmsford Valley District Composite School
Also featuring surrounding elementary schools

In addition, the community will host its first International Dinner in support of the Joan Mantle Music Trust on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 6 pm at the Older Adult Centre in Sudbury. Bela Ravi, a community representative on the Joan Mantle Music Trust Steering Committee, encouraged everyone to mark their calendar and plan to attend. “Our community has a rich multicultural student population," said Ravi. "We look forward to celebrating our diversity by presenting a wonderful event in support of the Joan Mantle Music Trust, ensuring that the Trust continues to grow for years to come.”

About Joan Mantle, patron of the Joan Mantle Music Trust

During the launch of the Trust in the fall of 2008, Joan Mantle picked up the baton and directed the Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School Senior Jazz Band to the delight of those in attendance. “Music education benefits students in many ways,” she said at the time. “Music is a universal language that enriches the mind and nourishes the spirit. When students gain an appreciation of music and learn practical skills, they discover a source of enjoyment and personal satisfaction that will last a lifetime.”

Joan Mantle dedicated many years to music education in Rainbow Schools. 

When Joan joined the Sudbury Board of Education in 1964 to teach math and science at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, Principal Bruce Elliot, who was aware of her extensive background in music, invited her to establish a music program at the school. She gladly accepted and planted the seeds for what continues to be a hallmark of education at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School.

Two years later, Lasalle Secondary School came calling and recruited Joan to head the Music Department. She taught music at Lasalle Secondary School for 15 successful years. The bands under her stewardship garnered numerous awards.

In 1981, Joan was named Vice-Principal of Lasalle Secondary School, where music continued to flourish. She returned to Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School as Principal in 1985, where she remained for seven years.  Joan then became Principal of Sudbury Secondary School where she was an ambassador par excellence for the Performing Arts Program.
 
During much of this time, Joan was the Director of the Ontario Music Leadership Program held annually at Lake Couchiching. She also served as Director and Chair of the Ontario Secondary School Principals’ Association and played a key role in the formation of the Ontario Principals’ Council.  Joan spent the last six years of her career as Superintendent of Education for the Rainbow District School Board.

After retiring in 2003, Joan continued to serve the community on many boards. In 2007, she was Chair of the Board of Governors at Cambrian College.

Joan Mantle passed away on June 9, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer.

About Music Education in Rainbow Schools

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 increases thinking. Music 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.