Hey everyone, this is my article about the Feeder School Tour. Let me know what you think! I'm not sure how to finish it.
- Madison
For students in the Music Department at Stamford Collegiate, the first sign of the Christmas season is marked by a visit to each and every elementary school in the surrounding area. The "Feeder School Tour" is an annual event organized by Mr. Taylor and Mrs. Barette. Members of the concert band as well as the choir make stops at FJ Rutland, Riverview, Princess Margaret, Battlefield, Heximer, Simcoe Street, and Valley Way over the course of just three days.
Upon arriving at all of the various schools, the band and choir members worked as a team to unload instruments and equipment from the buses and set it up in the gym. To start off each performance with a bang, Mr. Taylor led the concert band in a performance of the tune "Sabre Dance", most commonly recognized as the Buffalo Bill's theme song. Under the direction of Mrs. Barette, the choir followed, performing three songs from their repertoire including the hits "Don't Stop Believing" and "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)".
The tour not only gave the students at local elementary schools a chance to see what musical extra-curricular activities will shortly be available to them as Hornets, but also provided an outlet for members of the concert band to gain performance experience before participating in the Golden Horseshoe Music Festival scheduled to happen in February. Students from all seven elementary schools listened as the band performed the three festival songs, hand-picked by Mr. Taylor. One song in particular caused an interesting reaction from the audience. While the band performed the song titled "Dinosaurs", which featured the use of wine glasses and a giant cardboard tube, audience members clapped along to the intense rhythm, using their arms to represent the snapping mouth of a dinosaur. Students at Battlefield enjoyed this song so much, they chanted for an encore.
Stamford students were not the only ones to shine and showcase their musical talents. Mr. Taylor was on the lookout for the next big superstar in each elementary school; and there was no shortage of kids to choose from. Three eager volunteers at each school belted out a section of their favourite Christmas or holiday carol from atop the conductor's podium. Song choice varied from school to school; but of course classics like "Jingle Bells" and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" frequented the microphone. Contestants were judged by an expert panel of three choir members, but the votes were cast by their class mates' enthusiastic claps.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Anime Club Creates Tightknit, Welcoming Community
Hey everyone,
This is my finished copy of the Anime Club article. Please let me know what you think! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated as always.
Although Stamford’s Anime Club is the newest addition to the extra-curricular activities available to students, it’s off to a fantastic, promising start. Founded by student leaders Rebecca Maynard and Emma Chesher, as well as Stamford art teacher Mr. Azzopardi, Anime Club meets after school on Thursdays in the library. For those who don’t know, anime can be defined as a Japanese style of motion-picture animation; but take one look inside the library during a meeting and you will clearly see that many Hornets are already familiar with the definition and culture of it all.
Members of the Anime Club have no shortage of activities to take part in every Thursday. The club focuses on anything anime related, from magna to television shows to costumes and characters. Typically, a meeting consists of watching or creating videos, sharing original artwork and comics, and/or discussing favourite characters.
Mr. Azzopardi is quick to instill the idea that diversity of talents and interests is welcomed, even encouraged. When discussing the idea of a collaborating to create an original comic sometime in the future, he stressed the importance of all roles in the process. “We need artists and idea people”he says.
No matter what area your interest in anime is rooted, the club will cater to you. Self taught anime artist and club member, Josh Collins-Koehn, gave a drawing tutorial during one of the previous meetings. He has been interested in the genre since he was young and began to learn the creative art style in his teen years. “[Anime Club] is a place where everyone who likes anime can get together and discuss their common interest” says Koehn.
For Dominique, it’s a place where she can express her creative thoughts and ideas through the written word. She is and always has been interested in anime and fantasy, but noticed a lack of others to share her passion with. “I have loved anime since I was little but never actually found other people who liked it until now” she seems excited as she talks fondly of the club. During meetings, she likes to spend the time sharing comics and stories which she has been working on in her spare time with other members. Through these stories, she says she can “let [her] fantasy come alive”.
Many of the members shared Dominique’s problem before they joined; a lack of friends who shared their passion for the Japanese art style. I spoke to many people that expressed their excitement to finally find a group of people that appreciated their unique interests. Club member Michelle had this to say: “Everyone here is accepted”. Even though not everyone enjoys the same shows or characters, Mr. Azzopardi says the club is founded on the idea of “respect for each other and the ideas of the anime”.
In the future, the Anime Club is hoping to plan a trip to Anime North, a popular Anime convention in Toronto. They are in the process of coming up with fundraising ideas, so if you’d like to support their cause or join in on the trip, listen for announcements with those details.
New members are always welcome, and there is a no-commitment, open door policy in effect. You don’t need to be an expert on all things anime to join, either. If you are interested in learning more about the culture, or if you’re already an avid follower, come to the library on Thursdays after school to check it out, learn something new, and make some new friends while you're at it. Meetings will start up again on the first Thursday after Christmas break under the supervision of Mr. Rysdale.
This is my finished copy of the Anime Club article. Please let me know what you think! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated as always.
Although Stamford’s Anime Club is the newest addition to the extra-curricular activities available to students, it’s off to a fantastic, promising start. Founded by student leaders Rebecca Maynard and Emma Chesher, as well as Stamford art teacher Mr. Azzopardi, Anime Club meets after school on Thursdays in the library. For those who don’t know, anime can be defined as a Japanese style of motion-picture animation; but take one look inside the library during a meeting and you will clearly see that many Hornets are already familiar with the definition and culture of it all.
Members of the Anime Club have no shortage of activities to take part in every Thursday. The club focuses on anything anime related, from magna to television shows to costumes and characters. Typically, a meeting consists of watching or creating videos, sharing original artwork and comics, and/or discussing favourite characters.
Mr. Azzopardi is quick to instill the idea that diversity of talents and interests is welcomed, even encouraged. When discussing the idea of a collaborating to create an original comic sometime in the future, he stressed the importance of all roles in the process. “We need artists and idea people”he says.
No matter what area your interest in anime is rooted, the club will cater to you. Self taught anime artist and club member, Josh Collins-Koehn, gave a drawing tutorial during one of the previous meetings. He has been interested in the genre since he was young and began to learn the creative art style in his teen years. “[Anime Club] is a place where everyone who likes anime can get together and discuss their common interest” says Koehn.
For Dominique, it’s a place where she can express her creative thoughts and ideas through the written word. She is and always has been interested in anime and fantasy, but noticed a lack of others to share her passion with. “I have loved anime since I was little but never actually found other people who liked it until now” she seems excited as she talks fondly of the club. During meetings, she likes to spend the time sharing comics and stories which she has been working on in her spare time with other members. Through these stories, she says she can “let [her] fantasy come alive”.
Many of the members shared Dominique’s problem before they joined; a lack of friends who shared their passion for the Japanese art style. I spoke to many people that expressed their excitement to finally find a group of people that appreciated their unique interests. Club member Michelle had this to say: “Everyone here is accepted”. Even though not everyone enjoys the same shows or characters, Mr. Azzopardi says the club is founded on the idea of “respect for each other and the ideas of the anime”.
In the future, the Anime Club is hoping to plan a trip to Anime North, a popular Anime convention in Toronto. They are in the process of coming up with fundraising ideas, so if you’d like to support their cause or join in on the trip, listen for announcements with those details.
New members are always welcome, and there is a no-commitment, open door policy in effect. You don’t need to be an expert on all things anime to join, either. If you are interested in learning more about the culture, or if you’re already an avid follower, come to the library on Thursdays after school to check it out, learn something new, and make some new friends while you're at it. Meetings will start up again on the first Thursday after Christmas break under the supervision of Mr. Rysdale.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Coffee House Article
Hey everyone. Here's what I've written for the Coffee House Article - let me know what you think! I wasn't sure how long to make it. :)
Kris Kringle Coffee House
On Thursday, December 9th, Stamford Collegiate was graced by the talents of many new and returning Hornet performers at the Kris Kringle Coffee House. This evening arranged by Stamford's Student Council was a wonderful opportunity to showcase musical skills and to support other Stamford students in their love for the arts. Every performer that auditioned this year was given the opportunity to take center stage in the festively decorated cafeteria and show fellow students what they can do. The MCs for the evening were Joelle Schonberg and Akash Patel, who even treated the audience with a magic trick. And who can forget round 3 of Gender Wars? Representing the girls was Brittany Delgaty, and for the boys it was Devan Wilson. The girls emerged victorious after playing "Don't Forget the Lyrics" and making the score for Gender Wars 2-1 to date. The Kris Kringle Coffee House was a fun exhibit of talent and there is the possibility of another one coming later in the school year! So if there are any Hornets out there that want to show off their musical abilities and gain valuable performing experience, stay tuned!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Exams for Grade 9's
Hi Guys!
Coming up after Holiday break, the Exams for grade 9's will start. This might be one of the biggest tests ever for the grade 9s, it will last one week! I've asked some students the same questions on the upcoming tests:
Are you nervous?- Hassan Malik "No"
What exam are you most worried about? - Kali Wright "Math. I'm going to fail"
Will you study during the Holiday break? If so, what will you study? Santiago Maynard "Yes. (I'm going to study) math."
I'll get more opinions soon! :)
Coming up after Holiday break, the Exams for grade 9's will start. This might be one of the biggest tests ever for the grade 9s, it will last one week! I've asked some students the same questions on the upcoming tests:
Are you nervous?- Hassan Malik "No"
What exam are you most worried about? - Kali Wright "Math. I'm going to fail"
Will you study during the Holiday break? If so, what will you study? Santiago Maynard "Yes. (I'm going to study) math."
I'll get more opinions soon! :)
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