MANITOWANING—The entire student body, staff, and visitors alike were tapping their toes to Mike Trudell’s tunes as the country recording artist “rocked the gym” at Assiginack Public School on March 18.
Mr. Trudell, who hails from Elliott Lake and is currently residing in Sudbury, has recently recorded a self-titled CD in Nashville with famed producer Gil Grant. He is a rising star on the country music scene and he wowed the crowd with his guitar and songs from his brand new CD, including the album’s single ‘Do You Wanna.’
As it turned out, Mr. Trudell’s special guest appearance was the opening act to a second exciting event for the students; the unwrapping of $10,000 worth of brand-new band instruments.
“I’m really happy to be here, to help you guys celebrate this awesome occasion,” Mr. Trudell enthused. “I remember being in music class back in the day and playing on busted instruments all the time.”
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Mr. Trudell explained to the students how music has always played an important role for himself. “Music has been such a big part of my life—you guys are so lucky to have a music program here and you just received a grant for all these brand new instruments.”
The awe-inspiring event was coordinated by Kelly Timmermans of 100.7 The Island and Assiginack School’s music teacher Ray Scott. After applying for the grant last year and not being chosen as a recipient, Mr. Scott applied for a second time and found success.
“I talked to Ray last year after he had applied and I encouraged him to reapply for the grant,” explained Ms. Timmermans. She also helped arrange Mr. Trudell’s appearance as a special musical guest when she found out that Assiginack was awarded the grant.
“Did you know Assiginack Public School is the only school in all of Northern Ontario to receive this grant?” Ms. Timmermans enthused to the Assiginack staff and students.
Ella Stewart, a Grade 6 student at Assiginack, thought that the event was spectacular. “I was so excited that the new instruments came in, and a guest star,” she said. “I’m not really a country (music) fan, but now I like it,” she gushed in response to Mr. Trudell’s performance.
Grade 5 student Jessica Elliott also loved the event. “I think that the performance was a great way to inspire children to be more a part of music, and the new instruments really did the trick!” she exclaimed.
The Grade 7 and 8 students, who are currently enrolled in the band music program, were especially delighted to open their new instruments and try them out. The fun and festive event ended with some experimental blasts from brasses and toots from trumpets, as well as a final farewell song from Mike Trudell.
The instruments that were purchased with the grant monies will ensure that band programming at Assiginack Public School will continue to be available to its students for years to come.
