A “Choir and orchestra” Concert - elementary and secondary level students share their passion for music
The presentation of the "choir - orchestra" concert on June 17 at Maison Jésus-Marie brought closure to a very busy year for this brand new elementary/secondary school ensemble, which is unique in its own way. This new group has set as its primary goal to reach out to each milieu and community by fostering the discovery of music and especially by encouraging the maximum participation of students.
A program like the Orchestre Symphonique de Longueuil’s (OSDL) "Portée pédagogique" Series, this initiative is credited with meeting the expectations of students who want to play a part in learning and mastering music. Moreover, choreographer Chantal Carrier joined the group to increase the artistic impact of each of the selected musical pieces and to add a much-appreciated visual touch.
This new ensemble is the result of uniting the choir from École primaire Saint-Laurent de Brossard, under the direction of Chantal Harvey with the string orchestra from École internationale Lucille-Teasdale, conducted by Gaétan Fortin.
In the latter case, it should be emphasized that the orchestra was created to meet the wishes of experienced students who were looking for ways to remain active with their musical instruments despite their demanding school curriculum. It should be noted that stringed instruments were not taught at this school where the students learn to perform harmony orchestra music during their first two years of secondary school. Therefore, the creation of the string orchestra enriches the community and brings added value to the students during special events.
The Choir from École primaire Saint-Laurent has a fine musical tradition, where the emphasis is on two major and alternating projects which bring people together: the presentation of a musical adapted to students from grades 5 and 6, and a choir open to all students from the grades 3 to 6.
On the occasion of this first "choir-orchestra" concert at Maison Jésus-Marie, the students from this new elementary/secondary school ensemble played and interpreted a dozen pieces of music, including a waltz for orchestra only and several well-known songs, for example “Je vole” by Michel Sardou and "Le coeur de ma vie" by Michel Rivard.
This was the sixth concert in this wonderful adventure by these two elementary and secondary schools. This ensemble enables the students to perform at the Festival Classica as well as in their respective schools.
