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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-09-09, Page 37• 1 Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, September 9, 2009 - Page 37 I1teI't1i1I1.I1I1cI1t Deadlines: Friday @ 2 p. Youth show music and film prowess through county program Gerard Creces signal -star staff Engaging Huron's Youth in Arts and Cul- ture, a program offered by the County of Huron, has put music back into the hands of youth for a one -of -a -kind experience at the drawing board, in the studio and on the stage. Project coordinator, Melina Hussey, said the eight-week program began with 14 youth meeting at the Blyth Festival to hone their songwriting abilities under the guidance of four Huron County artists. She said enthusiasm for the project was evident as the youth got down to work. "They would just break into groups and start writing songs," she said. "That's some- thing that blew me away was how they were able to collaborate." The classes were dictated by the partici- pants themselves. Hussey said their imagina- tions were the only limitations on the song - writing workshops. The programs four mentors were singer - songwriter Kati Durst, musician Matt Hussey of Boy in December, Melina Hussey of Soup and solo artist Monica Joy. ' Lisa Marie Leamen The dream began in the fall of 2005 Lisa had finally decided what would be her drive. A Pharmacist she thought would be the perfect career She started at U of T without any fear. At first it was a shock how much time it all took She spent all her spare time studying and reading books. Soon it became a common thing for Lisa to say have homework to do so I can't be lead astray. After countless hours and at least 20 all-nighters Her schedule is about to become a little bit lighter. It is hard to believe it is coming to an end This is a tremendous accomplishment we should all commend. Lisa has graduated from`the University of Toronto from the Pharmacy Program with Honours and has successfully passed the examinations from The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. Lisa is now a licensed Pharmacist. Congratulations from` Dad and Mom - Gordon and Barbara Leaman, Goderich. We are extremely proud of you Lisa. i i The range of influences for the kids was as diverse as the mentors' - from folk rock and country, to progressive rock to old-time fid- dling - and all of it came through in rehearsal and in the studio. Once the stuaents had a handle on the songwriting process, there were two major components to the music program - record- ing and performing. The former was recently completed at Dig Studios, while the performance took place in July at the EPIC (Engaging People In Cul- ture) Youth Music Festival in Lions Harbour Park. Everything was free for the youth involved; a rarity in a business where most giggers pay to play. "Really, when else do they have the oppor- tunity?" Hussey asked. "Most of them hadn't even used a microphone before or had the opportunity to plug their guitar in and play." Every one of the 14 youth involved in the program got up to play, Hussey said, as well as show off their songwriting skills. Those skills will soon be pressed to plastic. as the disc Huron Epic Youth, is in the mas- tering phase. The EP contains seven original songs, all penned by members of the program. "The feel of the album is more of a folk - pop kind of feel," Hussey said. "Unfortu- nately, with funding we can only make 60 copies." However, she said the music will be avail- able through iTunes, as well as through the ak,-; y1 youths' myspace pages. Though the musical part of the art and cul- ture program wrapped up last week, Hussey said the writing and studio sessions cemented some friendships and work ethics that will endure long after the program is gone. "One thing that's really cool is out of the project, two bands formed," she said. "And almost all of them have set up a myspace (page) and put their song up." The program falls under Huron County's cultural plan and is funded by the Ministry of Culture. She said with such an enthusiastic response from the youth this year, there are high hopes for establishing a county -wide youth arts council. 'The main idea for that is to try and keep youth in the area...give them a presence so they want to come back," she said. "That way, they can meet and keep generating these kinds of projects." Part of the program's appeal for the Ontario Arts Council was that is used local art men- tors in each of the projects, as well as local studio, press, and print shops for their media. Come the middle of September, the next phase of Engaging Huron's Youth in Arts and Culture takes shape - this time in the form of a film and video project. Hussey said youth between 13 and 21 can still apply for the program, which would see them work with two local scriptwriters for four weeks developing scripts. The finished products will be filmed and yo66 Kenneth and Evelyn Boyce are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Rebecca, Lee,$o9ct fo Pobvte qco, t 6666hu son of the late Bruce and Marcella Hoffman on August 15, 2009 at Berea -by -the -Water Lutheran Church, Goderich. Officiating at the marriage was Pastor John Tremhulak III. Thank you to everyone who shared this special day with us. N -4‘at-GQ't i% ANew Spirit of Giving shown at a special film festival at the Park Theatre in Goderich, she said. Anyone looking for more information can call Hussey at 519-482-5457 ext. 8. "The main thing is that it is free, it's all funded for. Really it's just a matter of them showing up and taking part," she said. 1! Kristen Hunter and Nick Dorscht are pleased to announce their 0 forthcoming marriage on C September 12, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. • at Knox Presbyterian Church, , Goderich. fl Kristen is the daughter of Ken and Barb Hunter, Goderich. Nick is the son of Jim and Claudia Dor ht, Linwood John and Laurie Glazier are proud and pleased to announce the graduation of their daughter Marianne on August 7, 2009 from Texas A & M University in Corpus Christi, Texas. Marianne received her Masters of Nursing Leadership. She is o faculty member and professor of Professional Nursing at Baptist School of Health Professionals in Son Antonio, Texas.