Launched last fall, the trust honours Joan Mantle, a long-time educator who made an immense contribution to music education locally. Joan Mantle passed away from cancer on June 9.
“We are pleased to announce that, to date, $50,000 has been raised for the Joan Mantle Music Trust,” said Rainbow District School Board chair Judy Hunda.
“This is an impressive contribution to music education. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who supported the Joan Mantle Music Trust, enabling us to revitalize music programs in our schools. As the trust continues to grow, other Rainbow schools will reap the rewards of Sudbury’s generosity.”
Students from schools who benefited from the trust unpacked instruments today, as members of the Mantle family proudly looked on.
"It is so heartwarming for us to see students with shiny new instruments made possible by the community's generous contributions to the Joan Mantle Music Trust," said Ross Mantle. "Our mother's legacy will live on thanks to the trust that honours her memory and we are truly grateful.”
Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, which spearheaded the creation of the Joan Mantle Music Trust, was the first to benefit.
Joan Mantle was the founding music teacher at the school some 40 years ago. The school has purchased a bass clarinet, two trumpets, a trombone, a baritone, a percussion cabinet and 25 music stands. Lo-Ellen also received a trumpet and a trombone that were donated directly to the school.
Lockerby Composite School and MacLeod Public School were the second and third schools to benefit from the trust. Lockerby has purchased an oboe, two clarinets, two tenor saxophones, a valve trombone, a euphonium and a timpani.
MacLeod Public School has purchased a flute, an alto sax and a tuba.
The Joan Mantle Music Trust will allocate funds to school music programs in Rainbow District School Board, one school at a time. This will ensure that there is a tangible improvement in the condition of equipment in an entire department, allowing for students to achieve more in their musical studies together. Lasalle Secondary School and Sudbury Secondary School will benefit from the Trust this year.
In order to thank the community for its contributions, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, Lockerby Composite School and MacLeod Public School will host a community concert Nov. 3 at 7 pm.
Featuring concert bands and jazz combos, the concert will appeal to music lovers of all ages. Everyone is invited to mark their calendars and plan to attend. All proceeds will benefit the Joan Mantle Music Trust.
Also in support of the Trust, Rainbow District School Board will host a Christmas Carol Reading at Sudbury Secondary School on Dec. 13 at 7 pm.
The reading will feature community celebrities, including Greater Sudbury Police Chief Frank Elsner and CBC Radio Morning North host Markus Schwabe. There will also be performances by music students from Rainbow Schools. More details will be announced this fall.
“Quality instruments make better music,” said Ralph McIntosh, Rainbow District School Board’s arts education co-ordinator. “Our school year has definitely begun on a high note thanks to the community’s generous support of the Joan Mantle Music Trust.”
During the launch of the trust last fall, Mantle picked up the baton and directed the Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School Senior Jazz Band.
“Music education benefits students in many ways,” she said at the time. “Music is a universal language that enriches the mind and nourishes the spirit. When students gain an appreciation of music and learn practical skills, they discover a source of enjoyment and personal satisfaction that will last a lifetime.”
