Ode to Joy, Indeed! Evergreen Elementary hosts The Shelburne Community School from Vermont for a Music Exchange.
submitted by Frank Caracciolo, Educational Consultant in Art
On the most wonderful and much needed spring day, Evergreen Elementary’s Music Teacher, Sarah Burnell, opened the doors to a project in the making for the past three years. The Shelburne Community School from Vermont, led by Music Teacher/Conductor, Tim Buckingham made it to Evergreen and within minutes of arriving were set up and ready to play.
The music exchange was to happen every two years but with Covid and travel restrictions it took three years for the schools to meet up. With Shelburne’s principal Brett Cluff and some truly dedicated parents the project was finally happening. Evergreen’s violins paired with the school’s choir were the perfect complement to Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, the Evergreen school choir sang the piece in German and the two schools came together in perfect harmony.
Evergreen’s staff and students were delighted to have this mid-week treat and the students were a great audience, even participating in the last number singing with the music. Principal Adam Lambert expressed his gratitude for the Vermont students coming out and how well the event was planned. This could not have happened without the passion and persistence of Music Specialist, Sarah Burnell. Sarah worked tirelessly to have all the students in tune and ready for the performance along with coordinating with Shelburne. Together Tim and Sarah made it look easy and on this day the ode to joy was for them and their students. Congratulations to Sarah and Evergreen Elementary for hosting our neighbours from Vermont. Looking forward to the next collaboration!
Evergreen’s staff and students were delighted to have this mid-week treat and the students were a great audience, even participating in the last number singing with the music. Principal Adam Lambert expressed his gratitude for the Vermont students coming out and how well the event was planned. This could not have happened without the passion and persistence of Music Specialist, Sarah Burnell. Sarah worked tirelessly to have all the students in tune and ready for the performance along with coordinating with Shelburne. Together Tim and Sarah made it look easy and on this day the ode to joy was for them and their students. Congratulations to Sarah and Evergreen Elementary for hosting our neighbours from Vermont. Looking forward to the next collaboration!
