M’CHIGEENG—Manitoulin Secondary School once again played host to the Island Schools Concert on Thursday, December 3 with students from Central Manitoulin Public School, C.C. McLean Public School and Lakeview Public School, and their supporters, also in attendance.
“Good evening everyone and welcome to our annual Island Schools Christmas Concert,” MSS. Principal Laurie Zahnow began. “Thank you for coming tonight—this is a wonderful way to kick off the Christmas season, if you haven’t already done so.”
The principal thanked the audience for their generosity at the door, noting that all monies collected will be donated to the Joan Mantle Music Trust. “I want you to know that your contribution will go to a great cause,” Ms. Zahnow said.
Over the past several years, the music program at Manitoulin Secondary School has been the fortunate recipient of funds from not only the Joan Mantle Music Trust, but also from Manitoulin Transport and the Smith Foundation, the principal explained. “The money received has allowed us to grow our music program tremendously through the purchase of new instruments, renovation of a new music room, introduction of more technology into our program and expansion of the musical programs that we are able offer our students.”
“We know that adolescents with musical training have better school grades, are more conscientious, open and ambitious,” the principal continued. “We owe it to our students to offer a solid music program.”
Ms. Zahnow thanked music teacher Chris Theijsmeijer for his hard work in growing the music program at MSS and for his work in organizing Thursday’s concert. “But Mr. T. hasn’t acted alone as he took over from Mr. (Charles) Adam who began the changes to the music program that we have seen over the past years. Mr. Adam is not here with us tonight but we thank him as well.”
The principal also thanked all of the MSS band members, vocalists and helpers for their participation in the concert, “our elementary friends for their voices and their staff leaders for working with their students in order to bring them here tonight.”
The MSS Concert Band began the program with a rousing rendition of ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ followed by ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.’ Central Manitoulin Public School warmed the audience with ‘Peace in My Heart’ with the MSS Vocal Group wowing the spectators with ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Carol of the Bells.’
photos by Alicia McCutcheon
The Lakeview Singers gave a spirited performance of ‘We Need a Little Christmas’ followed by a Deck the Halls/Up on the Rooftop’ mashup.
The MSS Concert Band closed the first act with ‘The Planets’ and ‘Frosty the Snowman.’
The MSS Junior Concert Band began the second act with ‘Night Hawk’ and ‘Up on the Housetop’ with Charles C. MacLean students singing the Huron Carol.
Keeping with traditional Christmas carols, the MSS Vocal Group performed ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’ and the non-Christmas Avril Lavigne hit ‘Keep Holding On.’
Perhaps one of the most talked about acts of the night was the trio of Max Chapman, Liam Leblanc and Clay Dickson, all in red dresses, performing a Mean Girls-esque version of ‘Jingle Bell Rock,’ performed earlier that day at the MSS talent show.
The MSS Senior Band did a ‘back to the 1950s’ montage much to the audience’s delight followed by Santa Claus is Coming to Town with the crowd joining in.
The music-filled evening had its finale with the schools and gallery joining together to Wish You a Merry Christmas.
Manitoulin Island’s musical talent us alive and well at Christmas.
