Projet Poubelle 
 *Poubelle is a garbage can.
 

For those of you who requested more detail about some of the projects our daughters initiated, here's an explanation of one of their endeavours.  I will need to fill you in on a bit of context first.
 
At an award night at Susan and Katherine's school, a secondary 5 student named Kime, sang Maudit Bordel, by Marie-Chantal Toupin.  This girl had the most amazing voice and the warmest smile you can possibly imagine.  When I introduced myself to her at the end of the evening, she explained that her performance had been in memory of her mother, who had died the year before.  She said that she and her mother shared a love of music, and that she missed her terribly.
 
We invited Kime to our house to produce a simple demo. I wanted to plant a few seeds for her that may bear fruit later in life, and at the same time, give her a sense of security and support knowing that our entire family believed in her. At that time, Christian Dorion (professional musician)  came to our home on a regular basis to teach Susan and Katherine voice and piano.  I mentioned this girl’s talent to him, and put the demo in his hands.
 
The day after the recording session, there was an announcement over the intercom at Susan and Katherine’s school about a dreadful problem with the free breakfast program. Some kids, who didn’t even need the free food, were serving themselves twice, which meant that others, who were actually hungry but arrived on later buses, got none. Also, many kids tossed their garbage all over the school; the mess was horrible. Susan and Kath just can't bear the idea of other kids being hungry.  For a while they packed an extra lunch in the morning, in case they saw some kid looking as though they could use it.  Needless to say, the announcement they heard over the intercom weighed heavily on their minds.
 
The lyrics to the song that had been recorded the day before, addressed the very problems that the school was facing. They refer to society’s indifference toward hunger and the terrible way we treat the Earth.
 
Susan and Katherine formulated an idea, and made an appointment to present it to their principal.  They were nervous about making the pitch to la directrice, especially given that they were only in secondary 2 (grade 8).  In the meeting Susan asked if they could play Kime's recording of Maudit Bordel on the student radio station before morning classes.  Their idea was that Kime's old friends would hear her voice and hopefully give some thought to the song’s message.  At the same time, Susan, Katherine and a group of their friends would make an announcement asking everybody to stop what they were doing, pick up garbage, and even sing along if they so felt inclined. The principal gave her full support, and the project went ahead.  Susan and Katherine had a blast. They were even given the keys to the radio étudiante studio.  The project was well received by students and faculty alike.

You can see how easily this can be adapted for all schools. The possibilities are endless!

The song is really upbeat - great for teenagers.

 

The concept can be modified by composing a song as part of English or French class. Since La Réforme (a redesign of Québec’s elementary and secondary school curriculum), the interaction between classes, including sports and other physical activity, has provided many advantages. This idea, therefore, can be applied in either language. The verses can be composed in English or studied in French class (or vice versa), then the music teacher can have fun with it. Theatre, art and other disciplines can jump in and make it a truly creative project. Playing upbeat music in the morning (or during lunch hour) with appropriate lyrics can change a school’s atmosphere, and the students’ attitudes on their way to class, giving a leg up to the teachers. At the same time, it addresses whatever problems the school happens to be facing. Encouraging young talent and nurturing the arts is just a bonus!

Susan and Katherine wrote the article below, which was printed in their school newspaper.

 

Julia Tinnion
 

Katherine & Susan Willcocks