In the first week of June each year all of the students of Lester B Pearson School for the Arts gather to present what we call, "Choral Celebration". These concert have been going on for as long as Pearson has been an arts school. They are a highlight of the school year, and truly show the musical progression of the students as they move from grade 4 to grade 8. We hope that you enjoy the music that we have prepared for you!

You can go to the playlist or choose individual songs below.

• Choral Celebration 2008 playlist

CD Cover

Whole School

The first piece on this year’s Choral Celebration CD is Homeward Bound, by Marta Keen and Jay Althouse. It is sung by the entire student body of Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts. We have all heard the expression: ‘if you truly love someone, you must set them free’. Marta Keen’s poetry in this piece conveys this meaning exactly. “Bind me not to the pasture, chain me not to the plow. Set me free to find my calling and I’ll return to you somehow.”

Pearson Singers

The Pearson Singers had a tremendous year in 2007 - 2008. In addition to the regular concerts which they perform throughout the year, they toured to Washington, D. C. in the spring. In Washington they participated in an international music festival where they were adjudicated by three university choral professors. Although they were not entered in the festival in the competition category, the adjudicators judged them as if they were, and gave them exceptionally high marks. As well, they had the opportunity to work with two very distinguished composers this year, Francisco Núñez and Jim Papoulis.

The first song the Pearson Singers perform is by Canadian composer Imant Raminsh; it is entitled, Windwolves. Some of you may have had the opportunity to hear the cry of a wolf out in the wilderness. The wolves in this song are moving across the sky with the wind, gliding through plains and forest, hunting deer. Joining the Pearson Singers is Andrew Mitchell on bassoon. Although the part in Windwolves was originally written for oboe, Andrew, who at the time was in his second year of playing, asked if he could try it on the bassoon. He transposed the part himself and worked very hard to master the tricky passages that are presented in this piece. Please enjoy the hunt, as the Pearson Singers present, Windwolves.

The text of the next song, Amazing Grace, is by John Newton. He was inspired to write it when, in the course of his sailing as a slave trader, he was caught in a storm at sea, and prayed that God would deliver him. Newton survived, and experienced a conversion. The story goes that he immediately renounced slave trading, mending his wicked ways, and became a minister. The performance of this anthem of hope features two soloists : Zach Peddie and Rebecca McCauley.

The Pearson Singers’ last selection is entitled Stand Together, written by Jim Papoulis. The text of this piece has several messages: striving towards goals, encouragement for the individual and the group, and exploration of our unique inner strengths.

Grade 4's

The grade 4 classes of Mrs. Case and Mr. da Silva were very excited to be a part of their very first Choral Celebration. Their first song invites us to tune our hearts and ears to listen carefully, for all around us, everywhere, we will hear The Song That Nature Sings.

Their second selection is a well-known children’s song. The song was first written in 1934 as an entry into a competition run by the Girl Guides Association. The rights for this winning song were sold to raise money for the purchase of a camp ground in Australia . The song is named for a large bird that is best known for its unmistakable call which is like loud, human laughter. That’s right, it’s the Kookaburra! Please enjoy this 3-part jazzy arrangement that will help you realize what a grand life the Kookaburra leads!

Grade 5's

The grade 5 classes of Mrs. Bailey and Ms. Bird were the next to take the stage. Their first song is one which celebrates the Ordinary Miracles of life. It is a reminder of all the incredible gifts around us which give our lives meaning and beauty. From the growth of new life in spring, to the vividness of a rainbow, to the miracle of birth. If we take the time to notice, they will bring joy, meaning and beauty into our lives. Our soloists are Emma Torresan, Alexandra Grant, and Robin Feeney.

Next, the Grade 5's share the traditional Jamaican folk song, Day-O. The best known version of this calypso tune was sung by Harry Belafonte. It comes from the point of view of plantation workers, on the night shift, loading crates of bananas onto a ship. Daylight has come, the shift is over, and they want their crates counted so that they can go home. The opening call of this song is sung by Ben Cottrill, Dustin Clipperton, Keegan Marshall, Willem Cowan, Aidan Wasse, Cody Pelacek, Alec Bugler, and Zach Peddie, with John Fellner on the conga.

Grade 6's

Next up, were the grade 6 classes of Mrs. Brock and Mr. Wasse. Their first selection, Will You Stand by Me? challenges us to stand together in search of our goals. With friendships, come experiences and new discoveries. Together we can make our dreams a reality.

What A Wonderful World came to the forefront of musical history when it was recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1967. It was intended as an antidote for the racially and politically charged climate in the United States. The song had a hopeful, optimistic tone for the future. The text speaks of such ordinary things as the skies of blue, the colours of the rainbow, and watching babies grow. It details the singer’s delight in the simple enjoyment of everyday life. Our soloist on this evening was Amanda Moore.

Garde 7's

Ms. Ainslie and Mrs. DePace’s grade 7 classes assembled on stage to perform Somewhere, Over the Rainbow. Only four words need be spoken and visions of a little girl and her dog lost in a world of munchkins, talking animals, and emerald cities appear. The grade 7's sing a beautiful arrangement of this well-known song. Soloists for this piece are Rachel Flear and Jon Cottrill. As well, for this piece our accompanist, Mrs. Vass, had a little bit of a break as Anna Osterberg took a seat at the piano to provide the accompaniment.

Grade 8's

Mr. Malik and Mr. Cairns’ grade 8 classes then assembled. The piece they sang was an original composition by Mac Huff that has the feeling of a spiritual. This very contemporary setting has a driving rhythm that moves the piece along. The text asks for “Peace in this house, hope in our hearts, joy, life and love.” You will hear three soloist in this piece: first will be Sarah Seachrist, followed by Mat Fontaine and then Kate Deman. The selection is called, Peace in this House.

Garde 7&8's

The grade 7 & 8's joined together to present their final piece. Imagine a gold rush town at the turn of the century; a Saturday night country barn dance is happening. The instruments are whatever the community had handy. There aren’t any drums, so someone rattles away on the pipe of the stove which is keeping everyone warm. Wide-eyed girls stare across at shy boys who finally get up the nerve to ask for a dance. Unfortunately, for one young man, who seems to have come into town with a bit of gold, the outcome of the dance is not what he was expecting. Please enjoy Donald Coakley’s arrangement of Rattle on the Stovepipe, Boot Jack Jaw Harp.

Garde 7&8 Band

Twelve

Twelve had a very successful year. In the week before this CD was recorded, they performed at the board office for the Thames Valley Retirement Banquet and in Toronto for Youth in Motion’s “Top 20 Under 20" Awards. For Choral Celebration they presented a medley of four pieces from the popular musical “Hairspray”. One of the functions of this group is to provide opportunities for solo singing. You will hear a number of soloists in the four pieces. First up will be Molly Sayers and Kate Deman in Good Morning Baltimore. Second up are Justin Evans, Andrew Varkaras, Nate Crocker, Connor McCalden, and Meg Shannon as they sing It Takes Two. Then you will hear Sarah Seachrist, Laura Fieder, and Hannah Litchfield in Mama I’m a Big Girl Now. And then we finish off with Jessica Empringham and Rebecca McCauley in You Can’t Stop the Beat.

Whole School

In our journey through life, some of us are fortunate enough to meet someone who touches our hearts and souls, who encourages us to do our best, and who shares with us and invests in the love of the arts. This is the case with one special teacher at Pearson, Ms. Jones, who at the end of this school year retired from a very successful teaching career. The entire school wanted to celebrate with Ms. Jones with a special blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

And the rains fall soft upon your fields.

Until we meet again my friend