Rainbow Schools continue to benefit from Joan Mantle Music Trust

Manitoulin Secondary School will receive more funds from the Joan Mantle Music Trust this year for the benefit of students, including, back row from left, Nathan Hovingh, Tess Doane, Elijah Deforge and Tyler Atkins and front row, from left, Kris Li Sancho and Thomas Migwans.

Thanks to the community’s generosity, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, Lockerby Composite School, Manitoulin Secondary School and Barrydowne College will receive new instruments from the Joan Mantle Music Trust in the 2012-2013 school year. Confederation Secondary School and Espanola High School benefited from the Trust in the 2011-2012 school year. Front row, from left, Kennedy Bolger and Bethany Purdon from Lockerby Composite School; Alana Bianchin from Confederation Secondary School; Courtney Gillespie from Espanola High School; Xuan Han from Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School; Regan Vuorensyrja from Espanola High School; and back row, from left, Ben Kurke from Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School; Rick Tompkins, Director of Programming for Newcap Radio (Rewind 103.9 FM and Hot 93.5 FM), Matt Sampaio and Sherri K, hosts of the Morning Hot Tub with Matt and Sherri; Norm Blaseg, Director of Education for Rainbow District School Board; Stephanie Tagliabracci, music teacher at Lockerby Composite School; Doreen Dewar, Chair of Rainbow District School Board; Pablo Gil-Alfau, Principal of Confederation Secondary School; Maureen McNamara, Principal of Barrydowne College; Leslie Mantle, representing the Mantle Family; Craig Runciman, Principal of Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School; Bela Ravi, community representative on the Joan Mantle Music Trust Steering Committee; Ralph McIntosh, Rainbow District School Board Arts Education Co-ordinator and Chair of the Joan Mantle Music Trust Steering Committee and Tracy Mark, music teacher at Espanola High School. The Ludwig drum set in the photo was donated to the Joan Mantle Music Trust by Alan Wainwright. Donations to the Joan Mantle Music Trust are always welcome.

A significant supporter of the Joan Mantle Music Trust has been Newcap Radio, owners of Rewind 103.9 FM and Hot 93.5 in Sudbury. Newcap donated $7,500 to the Joan Mantle Music Trust this year – their fourth donation as part of a multi-year commitment. Rainbow District School Board Chair Doreen Dewar and Director of Education Norm Blaseg thank Director of Programming Rick Tompkins, and Matt Sampaio and Sherri K, hosts of the Morning Hot Tub with Matt and Sherri.

Thanks to the generosity of the community, Rainbow District School Board’s secondary schools will continue to benefit from the Joan Mantle Music Trust. Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, Lockerby Composite School, Manitoulin Secondary School and Barrydowne College will receive new instruments in the 2012-2013 school year.

“All of our secondary schools have been allocated funds from the Trust since its inception in 2008,” said Rainbow District School Board Chair Doreen Dewar. “We are pleased that we are now able to proceed with a second round of funding.” “There is an ongoing need to revitalize music programs in our schools so we certainly appreciate the continued support,” added Director of Education Norm Blaseg. “Our students will reap the rewards for years to come.”

To date, close to $107,000 has been raised for the Joan Mantle Music Trust, through individual donations, corporate contributions and special events. The third International Dinner in support of the Joan Mantle Music Trust will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 6 pm at the Older Adult Centre in Sudbury. “Through the International Dinners, we have raised $22,000 in support of music education in Rainbow Schools,” said Bela Ravi, a community representative on the Joan Mantle Music Trust Steering Committee. “This annual event will ensure that the Trust remains sustainable for years to come.”

A significant supporter of the Joan Mantle Music Trust has been Newcap Radio, owners of Rewind 103.9 FM and Hot 93.5 in Sudbury. Newcap is donating $7,500 to the Joan Mantle Music Trust this year – their fourth 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 Director of Programming Rick Tompkins. “We also recognize the importance of music education. We welcome this opportunity to help nurture our next generation of musicians and look forward to supporting the trust in the years ahead.”

Members of the community have also donated musical instruments to the Trust. A baritone horn will soon find a new home at a Rainbow secondary school. A Ludwig drum set has been donated to Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School. Rainbow District School Board thanks Korrie Findlay for the baritone horn and Alan Wainwright for the drum set.

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 Newcap Radio and 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.”

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, 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.

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. 

Joan joined the Sudbury Board of Education in 1964 to teach math and science at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School. Principal Bruce Elliot was aware of Joan’s extensive background in music, and 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 recruited Joan to head their Music Department. She taught music there for 15 years, where the bands under her stewardship achieved high levels of success and garnered numerous awards.

In 1981, Joan was named Vice-Principal of Lasalle Secondary School. She returned to Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School as Principal in 1985, serving in that role for the next seven-and-a-half years. Joan was appointed Principal of Sudbury Secondary School in 1993, where she became a tireless ambassador 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. 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.