On Tuesday, Feb 3rd Onanole
School had two special guests.
Logan McKillop, a former student of OES and
Madeline Roger from Winnipeg.
Logan is a school alumnus who has become a well known
folk/roots
singer-songwriter and storyteller. It
has been our privilege for Logan to visit us in the past and we were so happy to
have him back bringing along with him, Madeline Roger who shares that same love
for music. Madeline is a well accomplished
folksinger, producer, and songwriter. Madeline had been nominated for “English
Songwriter of the Year” at the 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards.
Our staff and students started out the day
gathering in the gym to hear the story telling through song performed by Logan
and Madeline. They introduced themselves
and talked a bit about what they do and where they have performed. Then Logan
and Madeline sang a few songs which they composed themselves. Everyone was so engaged in the sound,
harmony, and lyrics that told stories you could not help to hold onto from
beginning to end.
After our assembly, each
class had the opportunity to have Logan and Madeline visit their classrooms
throughout the day. Verses, choruses,
genres, and rhythms were created from the depths of our students’ imaginations and
put onto paper to create the catchiest songs.
Great job to the Grade ¾ and 5/6 classes for coming up with your songs.
They also created a Musical
Timeline poster that facilitated great conversations about music from long ago
to present day. The students had the
opportunity to pick different musicians and guess which era their music was
found. From the 1930’s to Present, there
were some songs that were recognized, and some new ones discovered.
Music is so good for the
mind, body, and soul. It also allows us
to take a walk back in time. Is there
ever a song that you have heard from the past that you can relate it to a time
in your life perhaps, a TV show or commercial, happy or sad moment of your
life, special event or occasion? Music
has connected all walks of life and brought people together. It is one of the most impactful and mood
changing enjoyments that a person can have that connects with their memories throughout
ones existence.