Stellula Music In Schools founder Deb Brown brought the special event to the school. Professional musicians visited with songwriting clubs at Penetanguishene Secondary School, Midland Secondary School and Burkevale.
Tim Mallon, principal at Burkevale, said the school’s music program is one of its strengths.
“Studies show that students who are involved in music programs tend to have greater success in other subjects in school,” he said.
Brown told The Mirror the workshops came about from a pilot project she took part in last year while working for the Twisted Pines Music and Arts Festival.
“The people that participated really wanted it to continue,” she said.
Stellula has helped establish songwriting clubs in nine communities across the county. The organization then brings in professional musicians to work with students once a month.
“I want to bring (in) someone exciting that has a passion for music and teaching so that the kids are inspired,” Brown said. “This time is the best time to introduce music in schools because people need to unite and feel hope.”
Dave Clark and Lewis Melville, former members of Canadian rock group The Rheostatics, worked at the Midland and Penetanguishene workshops. Clark explained he saw it as a way of “creating a community through music.”
“Music relaxes people in general and makes the world a better place,” he said, adding the workshop at Burkevale and the other schools were very successful.
“The students were brilliant. I don’t think I’ve been in a place yet that they haven’t been brilliant,” he said. “We all have music inside there, and we just need to find the key to unlock it.”
Grade 7 student Nathon Lizotte-Paton said the experience was “pretty cool.”
“They’re pretty good musicians,” he said.
Melville, who grew up in a small town near Guelph, said the workshops are an opportunity for students to learn about different types of music and instruments.
“It was a pretty positive (experience),” he said. “Where it leads to now is what’s really interesting. It can have a really big impact.”
nmillion@simcoe.com
What the students said about the experience:
Austin: “I thought the workshop was very entertaining. I thought it was cool how we got to get up and play music with the performers and interact with them”.Lydia: “I liked how some people were from a different country and sang in their own language. The people were all really nice and had an excellent way of showing us the amazing things they do for a living”.
Sara: “ The workshop was amazing! I liked how we got to get involved and make music. I think that all of the people who performed were very talented and very good at playing their instrument. I hope they come back again.
Payton: “I really liked the musicians. They were very talented and fun with what they do. It was also interesting to hear Ms. Jones sing in Portuguese!”