Feature Article June 26,2003
LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb HomeThe Flying NachosA few faces peeked out of the curtains excitedly as squeaks and snatches of music indicated that the band was warming up. Every one of the 23 students in Grade eight at Land O Lakes Public School had a place in the Flying Nacho Orchestra, a music venture started this year by Grade 8 teacher Allan Macdonald, along with much support from the schools principal, Anne Peace-Fast.
The band used instruments that were borrowed from other schools, or lent by Macdonald himself, and have only been playing together for seven months. Although they arent professional (yet) the students have done amazingly well in such a short time. Theyve worked hard. says Macdonald; Many of the kids had never picked up an instrument before this year. And they were very committed. Some of the students would practice on their own time, and on their lunch hour, without being asked to. The band was led and conducted by Macdonald, but also received some help and coaching from OAC students and a music teacher from North Addington Education Centre, who gave a one day master class for some of the band members.
The band, which has also played at Grant Hall at Queens in Kingston, gave a short performance on June 20 at Land O Lakes Public School. Although it began with a somewhat shaky rendition of O Canada, the group soon found their groove and showed off what they had learned. The school recently received a Limestone Learning Foundation grant to help cover the cost of the program. It has been an opportunity for students still in elementary school to experiment with music and instruments in a structured setting, and may encourage more students to continue to play once they reach high school. But whether or not any or all of the Flying Nachos continue to play music, they have enjoyed trying it this year, and it showed in their enthusiastic and fresh performance. I have students now who say I want to be a musician, said Macdonald, Theyve also developed determination and perseverance, as well as learned about the commitment that goes along with being part of a team.
