News Detail
Concert Program
Mabel Lonsdale, the Founder’s sister, was enlisted from the start to teach French, mathematics and music. She was an accomplished violinist, having trained under famous Hungarian violinist Joseph Joachim. Former students remember that she could teach every instrument in a philharmonic orchestra. Under her direction, the School had at one time the only orchestra on Vancouver Island. The Founder himself played the flute and the oboe, and surely would have joined the ensemble, along with any other willing teachers as they were added to the staff.
The program pictured above, written in Mabel’s hand, outlines a concert performed at the end of the second term of the School in December, 1916. At that time the School enrolment was 10 boys, plus, temporarily, the two Kingscote sisters.
The School’s music program since that time has encouraged and given performance opportunities to individuals, small ensembles and large groups of performers of all ages in the Chapel and on other special occasions. The type of music has ranged considerably, from classical string ensembles to rock bands, from “garage bands” to large concert bands and choral groups of all sizes. Groups have toured, been recorded and entered festivals. The emphasis of the program was surely influenced by the expertise and interest of both the music teacher and of the students at the time, as well as by budgets and timetables. The School has been fortunate to have had a series of talented and dedicated teachers leading the program.
Musicians have used several venues, from the basement of Groves’ House, to the small former cook’s house behind the Main Building, to a portable. In 2005, a large storage building behind Copeman’s House was moved and extended and, with a second floor added, became a permanent home for the music program. It is officially named “The Mabel Lonsdale Music Centre,” to honor the School’s first music teacher, but commonly referred to as simply the Music Building. We acknowledge the donors and supporters of the School’s music program, including the Grafton family and the Bradley Family Foundation through C.A.S.E. (Communications, Arts, Science, Entrepreneurship).
The information presented in this write-up is based on current information available in the School's Archives and consultation with key people who have some relevant connection to this "object." If you have further information about this "object" that you would like to contribute, please contact the School’s Advancement Office at alumni@shawnigan.ca.
The School’s music program since that time has encouraged and given performance opportunities to individuals, small ensembles and large groups of performers of all ages in the Chapel and on other special occasions. The type of music has ranged considerably, from classical string ensembles to rock bands, from “garage bands” to large concert bands and choral groups of all sizes. Groups have toured, been recorded and entered festivals. The emphasis of the program was surely influenced by the expertise and interest of both the music teacher and of the students at the time, as well as by budgets and timetables. The School has been fortunate to have had a series of talented and dedicated teachers leading the program.
Musicians have used several venues, from the basement of Groves’ House, to the small former cook’s house behind the Main Building, to a portable. In 2005, a large storage building behind Copeman’s House was moved and extended and, with a second floor added, became a permanent home for the music program. It is officially named “The Mabel Lonsdale Music Centre,” to honor the School’s first music teacher, but commonly referred to as simply the Music Building. We acknowledge the donors and supporters of the School’s music program, including the Grafton family and the Bradley Family Foundation through C.A.S.E. (Communications, Arts, Science, Entrepreneurship).
The information presented in this write-up is based on current information available in the School's Archives and consultation with key people who have some relevant connection to this "object." If you have further information about this "object" that you would like to contribute, please contact the School’s Advancement Office at alumni@shawnigan.ca.
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Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
