smcs newsletter - tcdsb.org...cindy gauvreau, andrea longo, catherine pepevnak, fiorella lo curto,...
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Principal’s Greeting Another calendar year has begun but memories of the Christmas season are still fresh
– the wonderful Massey Hall show, performances at Roy Thomson Hall, Scotia Plaza
and other special concerts by our benefit choir. These were in addition to the inspira-
tional singing for the Christmas celebrations in the Cathedral. The gift of music which
our boys provide is nicely captured by a story related by a woman who phoned the
school during the week before Christmas. She had been travelling northbound on the
Yonge line in the middle of the day when a group of young men boarded the subway
at Dundas. It was our benefit choir on the way to sing at a senior citizen‘s home that
afternoon. Of their own initiative, the boys took the opportunity of the commute to
rehearse. Passengers looked up from their newspapers, people of all ages pulled out
their ear buds and for a while, the entire car was transfixed by the singing they heard. The woman felt she had
to call the school to let us know that what had happened was magic. The lives of the people on that subway
car were touched by something special. Not only were older rider heartened by the sight of such promising
young men, not only were listeners moved by the wonderful singing, at some level, they may have been
touched by the lyrics which spoke about Christ in our midst. This is a powerful form of evangelization, to
transform the hearts of others through beauty. Stories such as this help to remind us of our mission, ‗to edu-
cate boys to become men for others through the service of sacred music‘. That afternoon, they were a group
of men providing a service for others with the sacred music they had learned at St Michael‘s Choir School.
The special celebrations of our 75th anniversary continue this month with the alumni sponsored Gala at Roy
Thomson Hall on January 21st. After that, we start gearing up for the big trip to Italy in April.
At the end of the month, we‘ll gather as a community to bid farewell to and thank Mr Berringer as he begins
his retirement from teaching. For 36 years, ‗Mr B‘ has served St Michael‘s Choir School as an outstanding edu-
cator, a successful coach, a mentor to boys, a partner with parents, a friend of alumni, an administrator and a
beloved colleague to fellow staff members. He has earned the respect and admiration of all. While his calm and cheerful presence will be sorely missed, we are grateful that this school has been blessed with his years of dedi-
cated service.
As we venture into this new year, we pray that our school will continue to be blessed during the next 12
months. We wish all of our students, families, staff members and alumni the grace of God‘s love throughout
2013!
TCDSB
SMCS Newsletter A Newsletter for the Families of
St Michael’s Choir School
Our Mission:
S t . M i c h a e l ’ s
C h o i r S c h o o l i s a
C a t h o l i c
C o m m u n i t y
w h o s e p r i m a r y
m i s s i o n i s t h e
e d u c a t i o n o f
y o u n g C h r i s t i a n
g e n t l e m e n . A t
t h e c e n t r e o f t h e
c o m m u n i t y ’ s
a c a d e m i c e f f o r t
t o m a k e t h e
u n i v e r s e
i n t e l l i g i b l e t o
g r o w i n g m i n d s i s
a n e x p e r i e n c e o f
m u s i c f o r t h e
p r a i s e o f G o d i n
J e s u s C h r i s t
———————————
St. Michael’s Choir School
67 Bond Street
Toronto, On M5B 1X2
Telephone: (416) 393-5518
Fax: (416) 393-5880
TCDSB
TCDSB
CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS January, 2013
Director’s Message—Mr. S. Handrigan
Happy New Year!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Massey Hall Committee for the outstanding work they did orga-
nizing all aspects of the annual Christmas Concert. Led by Colleen Mahoney, the team included Michael Ortelli,
Cindy Gauvreau, Andrea Longo, Catherine Pepevnak, Fiorella Lo Curto, Gilda Tarantino and Kate Rosser-Davies.
There were also many parent and teacher volunteers who chaperoned students, sold CD‘s and DVD‘s, decorated
(and un-decorated) the stage. Without the hundreds of hours of ―behind the scenes‖ preparation this concert
would not be possible. My sincerest thanks to all involved.
I have received a lot of positive feedback about the concert and I have included several comments that I believe
capture the sentiment of all who were in attendance.
The concert was both polished and highly entertaining, we loved it!
My mom was at the St. Mike’s concert on the week end (Saturday night) and she has been going for many years. She said this one was the best
yet!
I just want to complement all of you on this years performance as I truly feel that the audience was really enjoying it. There was laughing, singing and
acting on stage and some solos which were all so new and I really enjoyed this concert. I actually heard people saying that they were impressed and loved it. I am so proud of the boys and impressed with the new direction of the school. I think that not only the audience had a great time but the choir boys did as well. I cannot wait to see next years concert!
This year's concert was one of the best I have attended. The organization, effort and performance was incredible.
I just wanted to congratulate you, the staff and the young men who put on such a mas-terful and moving performance yesterday afternoon (and I’m sure as well on Saturday evening) at Massey Hall. The musical selections were beautiful, the delivery was flawless, and the whole experience was simply magical. We especially enjoyed the dash of humour that for so many years has been missing from this annual Christmas event. The choristers really seemed to be enjoying themselves up there on stage.
2013 is shaping up to be a very exciting year. On January 21st our Alumni Benefit Concert under the artistic direction of alumnus Andrew Craig
will take place at Roy Thomson Hall at 7:30 p.m. A Gift of Music: 75 years of Song will feature the entire student body as well as Alumni
Michael Schade, Matt Dusk, Kevin Hearn, Michael Colvin and other special guests. Hosted by alumnus Jim Codrington and Jazz FM host Heather
Bambrick, the evening promises to be a ―do not miss event‖.
For tickets contact: Roy Thomson Hall Box Office at 416.872.4255, www.roythomson.com or [email protected]
During the last week of January I will be travelling to Italy along with Fr. Busch and Jennifer Winski to ensure that all aspects of the tour are in
place. We will have lots of information to share with you and I invite you all to an Italy Tour Information Update meeting on Tuesday,
February 12th at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium. Please mark your calendars!
As we begin a new calendar year, I pray that God continues to bless our entire SMCS Community and I wish you all a prosperous and healthy
year ahead.
CHORAL NEWS
CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS January, 2013
SMCS NEWSLETTER SMCS NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS January, 2013
ANNUAL MASSEY HALL CHRISTMAS CONCERT
December, 15th and 16th, 2012
SMCS NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
CHORAL NEWS
CHORAL NEWS
RUN OFF CONCERT— ST. JOHN VIANNEY CHURCH—BARRIE, ONTARIO
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012
SMCS NEWSLETTER Page 4
CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS January, 2013
SENIOR CHOIR AT ROY THOMSON HALL
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2012
SMCS NEWSLETTER Page 5
CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS January, 2013
SMCS NEWSLETTER Page 6
CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS January, 2013
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO
OUR
CHOIR SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Congratulations to Mr. Berringer!
On January 31, 2013 Mr. Robert Berringer will be retiring from teaching.
He started and continued his career of 36 years in the high school at St. Michael‘s Choir School. Over those years he has been
involved in all aspects of the school including teaching a wide variety of subjects from History, Geography, English, Economics,
Business, Mathematics and Phys. Ed.
He has also traveled extensively on many tours from his first one to the mid-west USA in the spring of 1980 to such exotic
locales as the Yukon, Italy, Trinidad and Tobago, California and coast to coast in Canada covering every province.
He was also part of many concerts be they the annual Christmas concerts at Massey Hall, St. Paul‘s Basilica, Thomson Hall or
many local ―run-out‖ concerts to near-by places.
Over the years students would also find him on the field or in the gym. Early in his career he coached various track and field
events followed by a long basketball career and then culminating in more recent years with a very successful volleyball program.
Mr. Berringer‘s commitment, dedication and loyalty to the school shone through in everything he did. We are truly blessed to have had his presence as a
teacher, mentor, coach and jack-of-all trades not to mention that sensational humour.
The staff and students of St. Michael‘s Choir School would like to wish him all the best in his retirement.
SMCS NEWSLETTER Page 7
CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS January, 2013
SMCS NEWSLETTER PAGE 8
CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS January, 2013
This Advent season has been a busy one for the Choir School. I have been impressed over the last few
weeks with our community. In the midst of a busy season full of activity—Massey Hall, assignments,
Christmas shopping, advertising campaigns in the media—our community has held on tightly to the true
importance of the season: preparing for Christ. His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, spoke about the impor-
tance of the Lord‘s coming during his homily in the second week of Advent: “The Lord’s Coming continues, the world must be penetrated by his
presence and this ongoing Coming of the Lord in the proclamation of the Gospel requires our continuous collaboration.”
At St. Michael‘s Choir school, we have proclaimed Christ‘s coming both in word and deed, and by doing so, have allowed Christ‘s love to pene-
trate our community. The fact that we have not forgotten our true calling during this advent season is a true testimony of our strong faith
foundations.
Annual Toy Drive The overwhelming response from the community to support the Annual Toy drive was superb. For a week, my office looked like my living
room does on Christmas morning: full of wrapped gifts. Thank you to all the families who contributed. The gifts have been given to the Society
of St. Vincent de Paul who distributed them to families across Toronto. A huge thank you goes out to the parents who spear headed this initia-
tive. Special thanks and recognition goes out to Mrs. Christina Codrington for her organization. As well, the boys on student council deserves
acknowledgement for their help in promoting the Toy Drive at the High School level.
Street Patrol The grade 10 Religion class did not forget the importance of giving to the less fortunate people of Toronto, many who often go unnoticed. On
December 18th, the grade 10‘s met in the cafeteria at 8:30am and got to work in an efficient assembly line making sandwiches, and packing them
along with bananas, granola bars, and drinks. By 9:30am, the 10‘s hit the streets to distribute the 76 sandwiches they‘d made. By 11:00am, every
sandwich had found its way into the hands of someone in the downtown core that needed a meal. Not only did this excursion provide food for
many needy people, but it also helped students to live out the Catholic Social Teachings of the Church. A special thanks goes out to Malcolm
MacKay for his leadership with this excursion.
Best wishes for a blessed and joyful Christmas this year,
Andrew Hume
Gr. 10 Religion Teacher
CHAPLAINCY AND STUDENT LEADERSHIP
SMCS NEWSLETTER Page 9
With the school year in full swing and the completion of the first three 2012/2013 CSAC council meetings, we
would like to provide a brief update on CSAC financials. At the CSAC on November 22, the council voted to
make available approximately $17,000 in support of School programs and activities. This includes incremental
funding for the following: Leadership programs for the students, Volleyball and Swimming activities, sup-
port for the Graduating classes (for both Grades 8 and 12), the purchase of new Library materials, and
class support for the teachers. Without the tremendous support of the parent community, through tireless
volunteering and fundraising, these funds would not be available to support these worthy School programs –
thank you!
With the Christmas break quickly approaching, we‘d also like to confirm the dates for upcoming CSAC events.
All are welcome to attend!
Thursday, January 16, 2013 – CSAC Meeting, Auditorium
Friday, February 8, 2013 – Community Potluck, location to be confirmed
Friday, March 1, 2013 – Spring Uniform Exchange, Auditorium
More details of these events will follow, but please mark them in your calendars – we look forward to seeing you
at these CSAC events! As well, if you are interested in volunteering for these or any of our events, please send
us a note to [email protected] to lend a hand.
To close, with visions of sugarplums, and salt stains on gray pants, dancing in our heads, on behalf of the CSAC
Executive, we would like to extend to you and your families a warm and relaxing Christmas season, and Best
Wishes for the New Year!
David Gatchalian, Geoff Rawlinson – CSAC Co-Chairs
Executive CSAC—2012-2013
Front: Mande Puskas, Pina Povolo
Back: Geoffrey Rawlinson, David Gatchalian
January, 2013 CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS
CSAC News
CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS January, 2013
SMCS NEWSLETTER PAGE 10
MONTHLY RECOGNITION
CHORAL AWARD:
Front Row: Luca Margani, Luke Baszak, Colin Fok,
Mathew Lane
Back Row: Daniel Avila, Tony Li, Christian Sforza,
Jonathan Hsu
FRANCAIS AWARD:
Front Row: Paolo Carandang, Mark Li
Back Row: Calum Murray, Jonathan Hsu, Joseph Nguyen
VIRTUE AWARD: CHARITY
Front Row: Luke Baszak, Gianpaolo Povolo, Jonathan Adams,
Ewan Casaletto
Back Row: Joshua Benjamin, John Baszk, Matthew Balano,
Delcan Campbell
SMCS NEWSLETTER Page 11
ECO CLUB:
The Eco-Club would like to thank everyone for a successful penny drive. We
have filled a total of 8 bags. This translates to clean water for 8 people. "Free
The Children" has interesting donation options that make a warm and cozy
Christmas. For a $125 donation an entire family can have clean water for LIFE. For a $100 donation a Healthy Baby Bundle will be sent to a needy mom in
a developing country and, of course, the popular $50 donation of a goat that gives
back to the family. Please visit freethechildren.com/wishingwell to make a secure
online donation.
Have an eco-friendly Christmas and New Year!
SMCS Eco-Club
PIANO RECITAL:
January, 2013 CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS
SMCS NEWSLETTER Page 12
COOKING CLUB—BAKING CHRISTMAS COOKIES
.
January, 2013 CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS
ACTIVITIES AND SPECIAL EVENTS
SMCS NEWSLETTER PAGE 13
CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS January, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013 - Back to School
Wednesday, January 9, 2013 - High School Students late start
Monday, January 7,14, 21, 28, 2013 - Swimming
Wednesday, January 16, 2013 - CSAC Meeting—7:00 P.M.
Monday, January 21, 2013 - Gala Concert—Roy Thomson Hall—7:30 P.M.
Friday, January 25, 2013 - P.A. Day—Elementary
Saturday, January 26, 2013 - Bambino—Audition’s
Monday, January 28, 29 30 and 31, 2013 - High School Exams—Start time: 8:30 a.m.
Friday, February 1, 2013 - Ski Trip
Monday, February 4, 2013 - Beginning of Second Semester—High School
IMPORTANT NOTICE: An electronic version of the St. Michael‘s Choir School calendar is now available. This calendar is one of
the new features being offered as part of the updates being made to our school website
(www.smcs.on.ca). For the time being, the calendar is embedded in our board-generated website. To
view the calendar, please follow the steps outlined below:
1) Access the school‘s board-generated website at:
http://www.tcdsb.org/schools/stmichaelchoir/Pages/default.aspx
2) Click on the ―School Calendar‖ section of the home page.
Please note that events listed on the calendar are subject to change, particularly those listed months in
advance.
Special Up-Coming Choir School
January, 2013 CHOIR SCHOOL NEWS
SUPERINTENDENT:
Mr. M. McMorrow
(416) 222-8282 Ex. 5371
TRUSTEE 2011-2012
PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
WARDS 1. PETER JAKOVCIC 2. ANN ANDRACHUK - CHAIR 3. SAL PICCININNI - VICE-CHAIR 4. PATRIZIA BOTTONI 5. MARIA RIZZO 6. FRANK D’AMICO 7. JOHN DEL GRANDE
8. TOBIAS ENVERGA 9. JO-ANN DAVIS (416) 512-3409 10. BARBARA POPLAWSKI 11. ANGELA KENNEDY 12. NANCY CRAWFORD
STUDENT TRUSTEE - ANDREW WALKER
TRUSTEE FOR ST MICHAEL’S CHOIR SCHOOL
[email protected] - www.jo-anndavis.ca
SMCS NEWSLETTER PAGE 9 SMCS NEWSLETTER PAGE 14
St. Michael’s Choir School Advisory Board
Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto
Rev. Ivan Camilleri, Chancellor of Spiritual Affairs
Mr. Jim Milway, Chancellor of Temporal Affairs
Mr. William Dunlop, Comptroller, Archdiocese of Toronto
Rev. Michael Busch, Rector of St. Michael‘s Cathedral
Rev. Brian Clough, SMCS alumnus, Chair, Judicial Vicar
Rev. Larry Leger, Chair Nominating Committee
Dr. Constance Price
Mr. Paul Harrs, SMCS alumnus, Chair Property & Maintenance Committee
Dr. Joseph Gasser, SMCS alumnus
Mr. Michael Bernsiewicz, SMCS Alumnus, Chair of Finance
Ms. Patricia Parisi, Chair Governance committee
Ms. Anne Bolger
Ms. Andrea Chisholm
Ms. Kathryn Lagroix, Parent
Dr. Paul Gauvreau, Parent
SMCS 2012-2013 CSAC REPRESENTATIVES
DAVID GATCHALIAN - CO-CHAIR
GEOFF RAWLINSON - CO-CHAIR
MANDE PUSKAS - SECRETARY
PINA POVOLO - TRESEAUER