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Grade 6 students perform on band instruments at the 2016 Junior School Christmas concert.
Havergal’s 1950 performance of the musical
Iolanthe
, the first time
collaborating with a brother school.
Cello Choir. The Music department hasn’t shied away from change,
either. “In the Junior School, we have steel pans, Orff instruments,
ukuleles and African drums,” says Janes. “There is more attention
given to music of different countries and cultures—not just
listening, but also exploring through instrumental music and
singing.”
What has remained the same is the high level of instruction and
performance. Several ensembles recently received best in class
at Kiwanis with Platinum and Gold standings at OBA and OVA.
“We’ve had band trips to Vancouver and Ottawa for MusicFest. In
April, the entire department and 100 girls travelled to Halifax to
participate in the Atlantic Music Festival. It’s all exciting, but also
very busy!”
Asked what the coming years hold, Janes’s response is optimistic.
“I think in the future, more people in the GTA will know about
the arts at Havergal College. And there are new programs that
are using music as a vehicle for social change, such as community
partnerships that have the girls going to seniors’ homes, hospitals
and rehab facilities to perform and engage the people there.”
Retiring from teaching music in the GTA for more than 30 years,
Janes will continue singing, conducting and teaching privately. But
one song in particular from her time at Havergal will likely prove
hard to forget. “As crazy as it is with its numerous key changes,
time changes and old poetry—I still love
Vitai Lampada Tradens
.
Most schools can’t say that they have a school song written by one
of Canada’s best-known composers, Sir Ernest MacMillan.”
SPRING 2017 •
TORCH
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