Get Rhythm Midland Free Press Story
On Friday, students at Burkevale Protestant Separate School got an education in the musical arts
Posted By CHRISTINA BERNARDO
Jan 17, 2009
There's a magic when students are engaged through song. On Friday morning, former Rheostatics members Dave Clark and Lewis Melville, along with Luanda Jones, brought a worldly view of music to students at Burkevale Protestant Separate School.
The trio gave the workshop as part of the Stellula Music in Schools Program, which was founded by Deborah Brown, general manager of Twisted Pines Music and Arts Festival.
The musicians got together with the students to play music, "meet someone from Brazil, and learned and sing in Portuguese," said Melville, who, along with his work with the Rheostatics, has several solo albums and work with a number of Canadian independent artists to his credit.
In the 45-minute workshops, the students learned about different kinds of string instruments and their history. Selected students also had a chance to play some of the instruments.
Students also danced, "and we made a lot of new friends,"Melville added.
Clark finds its rewarding to pass on musical knowledge to others, because, "We get to create a beautiful connection with people.
"Every time that something happens through making a positive connection with people it's a massive political statement in the world," he said. "It's a statement of easing tension and peaceful living."
Melville said music brings people together in a positive way.
"It builds community and it's (something) everybody can do," he said.
This was Jones' first time teaching students music. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Jones moved to Canada about three years ago.
"They sang in Portuguese. It was unbelievable," she said. "I'm very proud of them.
Jones was happy to teach the students music and a few Portuguese phrases.
Clark said the purpose of the Stellula program is communication, as well as linking people together with music and learning.
"Stellula is bringing together artists of different disciplines in music to bring alternative ideas and experiences to kids in schools," said Clark. "It's peer-to-peer exchange learning and not just us being mentors."
The former Rheostatics band members met Brown through the Twisted Pines festival, "and she saw what we do being able to play as performers, and also to integrate that into workshops -- guitar, drumming, song writing and singing."
Last spring, Brown and the two began a pilot project at Penetanguishene Secondary School, and "worked on improvising games, painted pictures to use as musical scores," said Clark. "We worked with students who never played music and students who did."
A giant orchestra was formed and the program's students performed in front of their peers.
The school's principal Tim Mallon said the Stellula musical workshops are a great way to connect with students.
"They (students) learned that singing or playing a musical instrument isn't just a fun hobby, but it can lead to a rewarding career," he said. "In a society that is always touting the importance of the maths and sciences, events like this -- and the school's own musical program -- remind young people of the value of the arts in our lives."
The trio also conducted the workshops with students at Midland Secondary School last Thursday.
For the last 12 years, Clark and Melville have given music workshops in schools in Canada and around the globe.
Clark said arts education funding can't be underestimated and minimized.
"The paramount point of modern education would be to fund arts education -- particularly music -- because it's very accessible," he said. "It has such massive and cognitive benefits and rewards for people in the sense of well being.
"You want to bring up healthy, clearheaded students who feel good about themselves, and keep people from falling through the cracks inside the education system," he said. "It also benefitis the teachers because while they're doing it, it relaxes them--and get them in the arts, and particularly music."
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SINGING THE PRAISES
Stellula Music inSchools Program
Stellula Music is in eight Simcoe County communities, including Orillia, Oro Medonte, Barrie, Elmvale, Midland, Penetanguishene, Stayner, and Innisfill. It is in 13 Simcoe County schools, both in the public and separate boards. There have been more than a dozen different musicians presented to these schools since the program's inception in September of 2008. The program brings professional mentor/musicians to schools on a regular basis, which is made possible through partnerships, collaborations, but most importantly sponsorship. Some of the program's schools have started songwriting clubs, which program co-ordinators nurture with regular, interactive sessions with professional muscian/mentors. Stellula Music has the following aims:
·Accessible to all students, not just those inclined to music instruction;
·Inspirational to students encouraging them to achieve higher goals;
·Meaningful interaction with professional mentor/musicians;
·Sustainable program model for long-term community benefit.
For more information, check out www.stellulamusic.com.