Joan Mantle Music Trust presents Community Concert on April 29th

Local performers will join music students, teachers and graduates of Rainbow Schools to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Joan Mantle Music Trust during a gala Community Concert on Saturday, April 29, 2023.

The concert will begin at 7 pm in the Sheridan Auditorium of Sudbury Secondary School. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students. Doors will open at 6:15 pm for a Silent Auction which will be held throughout the evening. All proceeds will support music education in Rainbow Schools.

“We have a wonderful line-up of entertainment that will appeal to young and old alike,” says Ralph McIntosh, Chair of the Joan Mantle Music Trust Steering Committee. “We invite everyone to come out for an evening of fun and festivities as we celebrate the return of music in our schools and in our community.”

Community members who will be sharing their talents in support of the Trust include the Nickel City Wind Ensemble directed by David Young; the Northern Brass Choir featuring Charlotte Leonard, recipient of the Joan Mantle Music Trust Community Award; and The Zoomers, a rock/soul/rhythm and blues revue band.

Come take a walk down memory lane as the Zoomers perform classic hits from the past six decades! Sharing lead vocals and guitar work are two of Northern Ontario’s most talented and respected musicians – Kevin Closs and Marc Savard. Kevin brings a variety of musical influences to the group, most notably rock and folk, while Marc’s influences range from the blues, soul, and R&B. Rounding out the group is the rhythm section featuring Dan Ayotte on drums, Emilio Falbo on bass, and Cory Ross on keys.

The Concert will also showcase the talent of students and staff in Rainbow Schools, including the Lockerby Composite School Senior Concert Band directed by Michael Jensen, the Jazz Sudbury Youth Band directed by Mitch McIntyre, the Chelmsford Valley District Composite School Choir directed by Francine Portelance, a Sudbury Secondary School musical theatre presentation directed by Vanessa Chevrette, the Lively District Secondary School Rock Band directed by Cory Ross and the Manitoulin Secondary School Choir directed by Mat Fowler and Chris Theijsmeijer.

Tickets can be purchased by:

Accessing SchoolCash online at the following link – a donation option is also available: bit.ly/JMMT2023

Visiting the main office at Sudbury Secondary School, 154 College Street, open 8:30 am to 3 pm on regular school days.

Contacting Ralph McIntosh – email [email protected] or call 705-662-0115.

Joan Mantle Music Trust Community Award

The seventh Joan Mantle Music Trust Community Award will be presented to Charlotte Leonard at the Community Concert. The Community Award commemorates Joan Mantle’s positive impact on music and music education, not only within the Rainbow District School Board, but throughout the broader community.

The Award is presented to an individual (or organization) from the community served by Rainbow District School Board who has had a significant impact on music and/or music education at the elementary, secondary, post-secondary and/or community levels.

The Joan Mantle Music Trust

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 Leslie Mantle. “We are truly grateful to all community donors who continue to make this rich legacy possible. We also appreciate the donation of instruments from those who share our love of music.”

She added: “There is nothing more encouraging to a student who is just learning about the joy that music can bring than to pick up a beautiful shiny new instrument. My mother loved music – whether it was playing music herself, conducting the many bands that she led, or listening to others play, she loved music. That is what we are hoping for you – to build a love and appreciation for music. Embrace it and enjoy it and music will stay in your hearts forever.”

The Joan Mantle Music Trust allocates funds to school music programs in Rainbow District School Board on a rotating basis. The Trust also accepts the donation of new and used musical instruments and allocates them to schools in need. 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.

About Joan Mantle, patron of the Joan Mantle Music Trust

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

Joan was hired by the Sudbury Board of Education in 1964 to teach math and science at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School.  Due to her extensive background in music, she was invited by the principal 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 recruited Joan to head the Music department.  The Lasalle Secondary School bands garnered numerous awards under her leadership over the following 15 years.

Joan was then promoted to administration, where she served as Vice-Principal at Lasalle, Principal at Lo-Ellen Park and Principal at Sudbury Secondary School. In all of these schools, Joan was a tireless ambassador for music education.

During much of this time, Joan was the Director of the Ontario Music Leadership Program, 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 our community on many boards. In 2007, she was Chair of the Board of Governors at Cambrian College.

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.”

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. 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, 674-3171, ext. 7217.