July 2, 2015

Music students from eight Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO) secondary schools celebrated recently the launch of their CD, which was recorded as part of the Rock dans l'âme (Rock and Soul) project. The album, a compilation of their work, became a reality through a new CSCNO cultural identity initiative that saw participants compose and record Christian rock music under the guidance of musician Jean-Guy “Chuck” Labelle.

Students from the following schools composed and recorded the following songs as part of the project : Libéré (ÉSC Trillium, Chapleau); Dans les souliers du Génie (ÉS Saint-Joseph, Wawa); Jeune pour toujours (ÉS Notre-Dame-du-Sault, Sault Ste. Marie; À l’intérieur de moi (ÉSC Jeunesse-Nord, Blind River); La foi dans mon cœur (ÉSC Champlain, Chelmsford); Voyage à l’infini (ÉSC l’Horizon, Val Caron); Rock dans l’âme (ÉS du Sacré-Cœur, Sudbury); and Choisis l’amour (Collège Notre-Dame, Sudbury).

Coached by renowned Franco-Ontarian artist Chuck Labelle, the students took part in the composition of the lyrics and music of their original songs about Christian leadership and then in their recording. Their work will be shared with all CSCNO schools and other French-language Catholic school boards in Ontario this fall to support various cultural and pastoral initiatives.

The purpose of the project was to broaden the students’ francophone Catholic cultural space, develop the technical skill sets associated with musical recording and engineering. The Rock and Soul initiative also encouraged the development of creative abilities for composing lyrics and music through a dynamic and fun-learning experience. While discovering the work and cultural contributions of musician Jean-Guy “Chuck” Labelle, the students were able to incorporate the spirituality of the Christian faith into their works. In addition, they raised the level of their collaborative spirit in what became a very creative group project.

“Highly motivated, our students rose to the challenge. Inspired by Chuck’s energy and his passion for francophone lyrics and music, the students succeeded in assembling their ideas and creating songs to inspire their peers. Through his understanding of Franco-Ontarian youth, Jean-Guy Labelle proved to be an excellent mentor who succeeded in inspiring his charges to open themselves to their Catholic and francophone identity.”

The Rock dans l'âme (Rock and Soul) project is partly funded by the Ontario Arts Council.

The Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario offers a French Catholic Educational Program that is widely recognized for its excellence. The CSCNO provides a quality learning environment and academic program that runs from early childhood to adult education, with some 7,000 students in 27 elementary and 10 secondary schools.

Source:

Paul de la Riva
Communications and Community Development Coordinator
Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario
(705) 673-5626, ext. 294
(705) 677-8195 – cell phone