Exactly five years ago, our Senior Band visited Boston, and completed a music workshop at Harvard University with Thomas Everett, Director of Harvard University Bands. Following the musical session, Mr. Everett took the time to write me a personal letter that was very complimentary of our young musicians and teachers. Here’s what he said:
“I recently had the pleasure of providing a clinic for the Sr. Band students of Lower Canada College. I was most impressed with the ensemble’s general execution and precision, but even more so with the young musicians’ attitude, attention and focus. Upon entering an unusual venue for the clinic, students quietly went about their assigned responsibilities or took on new ones as the occasion rose. This, combined with the camaraderie, enjoyment and personal interactions I observed after the rehearsal, showed the experience to be rewarding for the students. I do many of these clinics each spring, but unfortunately cannot say that I see a group of this caliber with these priorities. My compliments to your school program, Scott Cheyne, and the rest of your music staff.”
Understandably, it was a very meaningful letter to receive! The quality of our band’s performance continues to be dependent on the excellent preparation students receive here on Royal Avenue. Our music teachers should be commended for high standards, professionalism and commitment and a deep passion for music education. There has certainly been a lot of evidence of that on our school stage at this week’s two recitals and a lively Arts Week assembly.
Our fine art program is also first rate. Our art students produce beautiful work, and the annual student art show later this spring will surely be a testament to quality, creativity and student engagement. Also later this month, grade 11 and 12 art students will be holding a special weekend show at the Alan Klinkhoff Gallery on Sherbrooke Street in downtown Montreal. Several members of the Klinkhoff family are LCC alumni – and we are very thankful they are clearing the walls to display our students’ artwork at their gallery between Thursday April 21 and Saturday April 23.
In addition to music and art, many of our students are involved in drama, either in the classroom or as a member of the Senior LCC Players or Middle School Players. My thanks to our faculty for their excellent work with young aspiring actors and stage and technical crews in various productions throughout the year.
With the opening of the Assaly Arts Centre a couple of years ago, we are blessed with excellent arts facilities to help complement great teachers who constantly enhance and refine student artistic interests and talents.
Mr. Cheyne often reminds us that learning and playing an instrument lights up all the lobes of the brain – essentially making one smarter. Arts educators in all the arts disciplines have also labeled the skills students acquire in creative activities as “Studio Habits of Mind.” These include such attributes as developing a craft, learning to engage and persist with projects and the benefits of stretching and exploring, usually without a preconceived plan. This usually means embracing uncertainty and playfully responding to mistakes and accidents.
So as we wrap up Arts Week, my thanks to all arts students for the positive impact of their work. They should also remember, the learning and brain benefits may be even deeper than they ever imagined. I hope to see you at the Student Art Show in late May.
Christopher Shannon
Headmaster
Last week, we all heard the terrible news about the tragic death of a grade 9 student at one of Montreal’s independent schools. On behalf of our entire LCC school community, I immediately sent condolences to the head of school and expressed our collective sadness and sense of solidarity.
Unfortunately, my amazing stay in Australia is coming to an end. During the past two weeks, Tom’s family and I visited several places. First off, we went to the Eureka Tower, one of the tallest buildings in Melbourne where we went on a glass elevator called the edge, which moved horizontally out of the tower. It was a thrilling experience and it allowed me to see the city from a very different perspective.
On March 12, I was taken to the Rhino and Lion Reserve where I had a once in a lifetime experience. About an hour into our drive, I saw the big sign with two lion statues next to it. We drove in and I immediately saw animals. I saw ostriches and a giraffe. While driving around, we saw all sorts of bucks, like the blesbuck, rooihartebeest, sable and springbok, which is South Africa’s national animal. We also saw a warthog with her two babies. We then drove up to the predator camp, which is where the more dangerous animals are, and we were just in time for the feedings. We watched wild dogs, cheetahs and lions being fed. It was so cool because we were right next to all of them in our car watching them eat.
As I am on my way to the airport to catch my 7 am flight out of Melbourne, I cannot believe how quickly this experience has gone by. These past six weeks have been some of the most eventful, fun, and life-changing times. I am so incredibly happy to have taken this opportunity and gotten the chance to meet
