Perth-Andover’s Got Loads of Talent!
Stephanie Kelley
The Larlee Creek Hullabaloo and the Village of Perth-Andover worked together to host a fabulous
evening of free music featuring some of our most talented local young musicians.
The concert had to be moved from its originally scheduled date and so took place on a perfect summer evening on August 6th.
A crowd soon gathered with their chairs, blankets, kids and even a small dog or two to enjoy the music. Folks listened as Bronwyn Dickson, Melissa Fitzherbert, Caleb Johnson, Lindsay Everett, Chantal Moulton, Alicia Lee and The Cadency, a Christian rock group from Florenceville-Bristol, all played and sang in turn.
Local artists had donated some of their works to be sold during a silent auction throughout the concert, with all proceeds going to the Andover Elementary School Music Program.
With the support of the Larlee Creek Hullabaloo committee and various fundraising events that are held each year, Andover Elementary now has the best equipped music department in the entire province!
Her sweet voice is perfect for lovely folk ballads
Laura O’Neil is now in her second year as music teacher at Andover Elementary as she took over the program after Denise Budrow left town.
Before she moved west, Denise had helped to organize some awesome fundraisers. Along with Matt Andersen, she’d helped to raise the funds to purchase a fine grand piano that is now part of the program.
Matt has done a couple of separate shows to raise money for the program. All of these funds go towards new instruments and equipment, and to subsidize private music lessons for talented young students who need a bit of financial support.
Sister Roma Ferrell comes to give piano lessons to two students through this program. These kids have talent, drive and desire and have not missed a lesson yet!
Laura always keeps her eyes peeled for good deals on used music equipment. She’s found some great deals on instruments at pawn shops and yard sales, but she says that more instruments are always welcome.
Do you have a forgotten old guitar or piccolo gathering dust in a closet in your home? Dust those puppies off and let them live again by donating them to the Music Program!
As with all of our community programs, more volunteer support is always needed, and any donation of your time or money is most welcome.
If you play an instrument and have a bit of time to spare, Laura would love to have you come to the school to offer tutorials to the students, right around the noon hour.
Supporting our youth to help realize their own inherent talent and creativity is one of the best things we can do to support our community and its future.
Our progress and growth as a community doesn’t lie in becoming more regimented and corporate, but by celebrating the artist within every one of our kids and helping them to realize their fullest potential!
