February 25, 2014

High school musicians from the Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO) had the experience of a lifetime at the 11th annual “Quand ça nous chante” music festival. Some 385 up-and-coming musicians from 41 Ontario francophone secondary schools took part in this gathering which took place from February 20 to 23 in Sudbury.

Aaron Roy, a grade 12 student at École secondaire catholique Jeunesse-Nord in Blind River, earned the outstanding musician award (Coup de Cœur - best electric guitar). This award is presented to students for outstanding stage presence in a musical performance during the festival. This is the third year in a row that Jeunesse-Nord has seen its students win an award at this event.

An outstanding musician (acoustic and electric guitar), Aaron display a great level of creativity and originality in his creation of melodies. Aaron is also an excellent music composer who contributes a great deal to the success of the band La Volée du Nord from É.s.c. Jeunesse-Nord which was taking part in this music gathering for the fifth year in a row. The band will also have the opportunity to present its musical prowess at the next edition of CSCNO’s Mélomanie slated for April 2014.

“Aaron Roy and members of La Volée du Nord enjoyed the opportunity to present a 20-minute show to other students whose passion for music is equally strong. They received professional feedback regarding their performance, and took part in two workshops led by professional artists,” explained Mr. Michel Levac, ÉSC Jeunesse-Nord teacher. “By being exposed to various styles of francophone music and through their contacts with other musicians from across the province, Aaron and other CSCNO students were able to see and hear for themselves that the French-language music industry is alive and well in Ontario and that a musical career in French is a real possibility.”

The Quand ça nous chante festival is an educational activity offered by the Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique (APCM).

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.

INFO:

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