The Joan Mantle Music Trust remains in fine-tune in year 12 as donations continue to grow. Since its launch in 2008, the Trust has raised $258,000 in contributions to music education in Rainbow Schools.
“As we move into the second year of the fourth round of funding, secondary schools, as well as elementary feeder schools with music programs, will once again receive funds,” Rainbow District School board chair Doreen Dewar said in a release.
“The fact that the Trust is thriving 12 years after its inception speaks volumes about the generosity of local businesses and individuals. The entire community deserves a standing ovation for its ongoing support.”
The trust expanded to elementary schools in 2018-19 when Lo-Ellen Park Secondary, Algonquin Road Public and R.L. Beattie Public schools; Confederation Secondary, Valley View Public and C.R. Judd Public school; and Manitoulin Secondary, Central Manitoulin Public and Charles C. McLean Public schools received funds to purchase new instruments.
Lasalle Secondary, Churchill Public, Carl A. Nesbitt Public and Northeastern Elementary schools; Lockerby Composite, Alexander Public, Copper Cliff Public, and MacLeod Public schools; and Sudbury Secondary and Princess Anne Public schools will receive funds in 2019-20.
The third round of funding culminated in 2017-18 with Confederation Secondary, Espanola High and Sudbury Secondary schools. Chelmsford Valley District Composite, Lasalle and Lively District Secondary schools received funding in 2016-17.
The Lively District Secondary School intermediate rock band performed at the Rainbow District School Board annual Schools of Rock concert at Sudbury Secondary School in Sudbury, Ont. on Tuesday June 18, 2019. The event also featured Levack Public School and special guests Pop Mach!ne. Proceeds from the concert will support the rock band programs and the Joan Mantle Music Trust. John Lappa/Sudbury Star/Postmedia Network
John Lappa /
John Lappa/Sudbury Star
In 2015-16, funding was provided to Lockerby Composite, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary and Manitoulin Secondary schools.
“Most of our secondary schools have enjoyed four rounds of funding from the Joan Mantle Music Trust,” education director Norm Blaseg said. “Our students will reap the rewards for years to come as we continue to replenish the inventory of instruments in our schools.
“We are so grateful to members of the community who support the trust by making donations and attending events, including school concerts and the International Dinner and Silent Auction.”
Hannah Smith, a Grade 8 student at Copper Cliff Public School, said she relishes the chance to make music.
“As great as listening to music is, it’s even better to be able to make music myself,” Hannah said “Playing the flute calms me down and helps me to express my emotions.
“New instruments would mean that kids in our school could learn to play instruments and experience the joy of making music like I have for many more years.”
The Lively District Secondary School intermediate rock band performed at the Rainbow District School Board annual Schools of Rock concert at Sudbury Secondary School in Sudbury, Ont. on Tuesday June 18, 2019. The event also featured Levack Public School and special guests Pop Mach!ne. Proceeds from the concert will support the rock band programs and the Joan Mantle Music Trust. John Lappa/Sudbury Star/Postmedia Network
John Lappa /
John Lappa/Sudbury Star
Jack Cushnie, Grade 12 student at Sudbury Secondary, agreed.
“When I first auditioned for the music program, I had never even touched a band instrument before,” Cushnie recalled. “Fast forward four years to today and I play tenor in two bands at school, the Cambrian wind ensemble and a saxophone quintet. And I am lucky to play on a sax that was bought with money from this fund.
“It has given me the opportunity to experience making and playing music and fall in love with it.”
The money raised to date comes from individual donations, corporate contributions and special events, including $11,000 from the International Dinner and Silent Auction held last spring. Members of the community have also donated musical instruments including woodwind and brass instruments, guitars, drum sets and pianos.
To thank the community, the 2019-20 recipient secondary schools will host community concerts with their area elementary schools that have music programs. These concerts will appeal to music lovers of all ages.
International Dinner and Community Award
The ninth International Dinner and Silent Auction in support of the Joan Mantle Music Trust will be held on Saturday, April 18, 6 p.m. at the ParkSide Centre in Sudbury.
Heather Parker, co-ordinator of the Kiwanis Music Festival of Sudbury, received the 2019 Joan Mantle Music Trust Community Award at the International Dinner and Silent Auction in support of the Trust. Supplied photo
jpeg, SU
“Through the International Dinners, we have raised $91,000 in support of music education in Rainbow Schools,” said Bela Ravi, a community representative on the trust’s steering committee.
“We invite everyone to mark their calendars and join us for another wonderful evening with foods from around the world, and musical entertainment from the talented students of Rainbow Schools.”
The seventh annual Joan Mantle Music Trust Community Award will be presented at the International Dinner. The Community Award commemorates the late Joan Mantle’s positive impact on music and music education, not only within the Rainbow District School Board, but throughout the broader community.
The award is presented annually to an individual (or organization) from the community served by Rainbow District School Board who has had a significant impact on music and/or music education at the elementary, secondary, post-secondary and/or community levels. Nominations will be accepted until Jan. 17. For more information, including the nomination form, visit rainbowschools.ca and click on “Community”.
Elizabeth Arrowsmith, a Grade 3 student at Alexander Public School, played a piece on the violin as part of the tribute to Heather Parker, Co-ordinator of the Kiwanis Music Festival of Sudbury. Heather Parker received the 2019 Joan Mantle Music Trust Community Award. Supplied photo
jpg, SU
Community Award Honour Roll
Inaugural recipient Sylvia Carscadden, founder and director of the Kampana Bells, said that music teachers don’t always realize the tremendous impact they have on a person’s life.
“I want to reinforce to teachers the great influence they have on their students,” she said. “Music teachers provided experiences and opportunities that formed my appreciation of quality and the discipline of excellence.
“But most importantly, they made an extra effort to share what they loved. It has had a lasting impact on my life and I am truly honoured to receive this wonderful award.”
The late Peter Schneider, a long-time educator and musical performer, was honoured with the Joan Mantle Music Trust Community Award in 2015. In accepting the posthumous tribute, Peter’s widow, Lucette Schneider, said music is a gift that lasts a lifetime.
“Recent research has found that music uses both sides of the brain, a fact that makes it valuable in all areas of development. Music affects the growth of a child’s brain academically, emotionally, physically and spiritually,” she said.
“Most people can’t play soccer or football at 70 and 80 years of age but they can sing. And they can play piano or some other instrument.”
Steve Irvine, of the Lo-Ellen Jazz Ensemble, performs at a presentation celebrating the Joan Mantle Music Trust at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School in Sudbury, Ont. on Tuesday October 16, 2018. John Lappa/Sudbury Star/Postmedia Network
David Buley, an associate professor of music education at Laurentian University, received the Joan Mantle Music Trust Community Award in 2016. Buley established The Young Sudbury Singers in 2007, an award-winning choir for children and youth from across the Greater Sudbury area.
“The making of music is never solitary: instrument makers, composers, ensemble performers, audience members, architects, and concert hall builders, our teachers, our supporters, all combine to make the spaces and places and opportunities where music is made, where we experience music,” he said. “Offering an award such as this supports all of this music community.”
Robert “Bob” Hall was the 2017 recipient of the Joan Mantle Music Trust Community Award. Hall is an accomplished musician, vocalist, pianist, organist and conductor, who has served 22 years as associate professor of music at Laurentian University, and director of music and organist at St. Andrew’s United Church, Sudbury.
At last year’s Dinner, Hall shared a booklet about the many music educators he has worked with and the key things they have taught him. “There are many more people that I could have named who shared musical insights by word or by example,” he said. “It makes me very thankful that I have had the privilege to experience so many inspirational music educators in so many ways over the past years.”
Brenda and Jamie Arrowsmith, a mother/son duo who are well-known musicians and music educators, received the Joan Mantle Music Trust Community Award in 2018. Brenda Arrowsmith imparted her passion for music to her son Jamie and both have made significant contributions to music education.
Emily Thomas, of the Lo-Ellen Jazz Ensemble, performs at a presentation celebrating the Joan Mantle Music Trust at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School in Sudbury, Ont. on Tuesday October 16, 2018. John Lappa/Sudbury Star/Postmedia Network
John Lappa /
John Lappa/Sudbury Star
Jamie, in turn, is inspiring another generation of musicians through his work at Cambrian College, the Sudbury Symphony and the Sudbury Youth Orchestra. “As a music educator, I am grateful for the Trust’s role in helping to ensure quality music instruction in our schools,” said Dr. Jamie Arrowsmith.
Added Brenda Arrowsmith: “I remember in my own teenage years what a big deal it was to have even a few new instruments… no dents, no broken springs, no missing keypads, no sticky valves or bent speaker keys, shiny clean lacquer… so much easier to play. It was positively motivating and fun.
“Thanks to the Joan Mantle Trust, that excitement is still being experienced by music students, and many music teachers are grateful to have good, working instruments. I am also willing to bet that many of us perhaps went into music as a career in the first place because of a strong formative experience in high school music programs, or in youth orchestras, or because of a passionate, talented teacher… a Joan Mantle.”
The 2019 Community Award was presented to Heather Parker, Co-ordinator of the Kiwanis Music Festival of Sudbury, who sang the praises of music and music education.
“Music is a gift that keeps on giving,” she said. “It’s a universal language that can break down barriers and heal deep wounds. It can quietly stir the delicate corners of your soul and has the power to energize masses of people in joyful celebration.” She added: “The effects and benefits of music are endless, and music has simply felt like my purpose. I am forever grateful for it.”
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The Joan Mantle Music Trust
The Joan Mantle Music Trust honours Joan Mantle, a long-time educator who made an immense contribution to music education in Sudbury Joan Mantle passed away on June 9, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer.
The Joan Mantle Music Trust allocates funds to school music programs in Rainbow District School Board on a rotating basis. The trust also accepts the donation of new and used musical instruments and allocates them to schools in need. This ensures that there is an ongoing improvement in the condition of musical equipment throughout the Board, allowing for students to achieve more in their musical studies together.
Joan Mantle dedicated many years to music education in Rainbow Schools. she was hired by the Sudbury Board of Education in 1964 to teach math and science at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, but soon got into developing music programs and did so at several schools during her career.
