Canadian recording star Sam Roberts rocks Beurling Academy;

The evening finally arrived last Thursday as the annual Spring Concert took place under the usual astute musical direction of Gary Lindner, and this time included some major star power. Canada’s leading rocker and multi-award winner, recording star Sam Roberts opened up the show after introductory tributes by students.

As many of you might recall, Sam was slated to open the Christmas show in December but with the accidental injury to the music teacher and the inclement weather later in the day, the show was postponed to January. So there was an increased expectancy for the spring concert as we didn’t break the news until 3 weeks before the show that Sam would be available.

First it was on to a sound check by Sam upon his arrival to the hit 2008 song, “Detroit ‘67”. During the day, the various grades during their rehearsals, one could feel a certain air of quiet tenseness knowing that the tunes they were gonna play would be watched by a multi-award winner.

After sound check, it was onto a welcome reception in Richie’s Café where Sam was greeted by BA administration and some staff members, and the chance to take in some of Richie’s gourmet cooking which was a tasty steak supper followed by a sinful dessert.

Then it was on to the library for a private meet and greet with the music students and the chance to say hi and for some neat photo ops and many students got Sam to autograph their yearbooks which arrived the same day where he took the time to write special messages of best wishes. Now it was Showtime!

After a blistering version of one of Sam’s many hits, “Brother Down” by 5 senior students which was sung Syerra Ninnim as she took on the role of rocker lead singer with great skill and a special intro by yours truly, it was on to business as Sam sang three of his many hits, two of which were written in Verdun at the corner of Evelyn and Hickson about 12 years ago. This was then followed by a very special moment.

Joining Sam on stage was one of his former teachers, Gary Lindner, from Loyola High a few years back and the chance for Sam to answer a few questions. As Sam was answering a question about how his acoustic guitar became electrified, BA students Josh Oliver on lead guitar, Corey Towell on bass, Jesse Harfield on drums, and Brandon Share-Cohen on tambourine snuck in from behind the curtain, and after Sam proclaiming, “we have a band”, the guys proceeded to rock the house down with a smokin’ version of his last smash hit, “I Feel You”. It was a moment those of us in the audience will never forget.

We can’t thank Sam enough for hanging out with everybody on this evening and he also had the chance to listen to the other band numbers. The sec 5 class did a great version of MJ’s Man in the Mirror and a bluesy version of Norah Jones’ Don’t Know Why capably sung by Syerra Ninnim.

The Sec 2 band, amongst their 3 tunes were on the jazz with that great blues classic and 60’s pop hit, Mercy. The sec 1 played an excellent medley of 4 songs; the Sec 4 band performed Herbie Hancock’s Chameleon followed by an energetic version of Mission Impossible. So another spring concert has come and gone. You just never know which superstar might drop by next.

The Sam Roberts Band, it was announced last week will be opening up for veteran rock group Aerosmith on July 10th in Laval.

VE gets new Principal

The May LBPSB council meeting featured the annual dance that we coined several years back called the “the Administrative Shuffle”, and, as usual, a Verdun School was invited to the dance. It was announced that after 3 years at the helm, Verdun Elementary Principal, David Chisholm will be taking on a new position and will become the new assistant director of the Human Resources Department at the LBPSB.

Mr. Chisholm under his watch was successful, in obtaining that big grant from Chapters Books last year and initiated very successful afterschool sports programs. Coming to VE will be Miss Jennifer Kurta, who is currently the VP for the senior grades at LCCHS in LaSalle.

Previous to the LCCHS posting where she has been for 4 years, Miss Kurta, was with the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School board, where she held the position of Elementary Principal and Principal of the Alternative High School.

In a statement to the Verdun Messenger, Miss Kurta, mentioned that she is looking to her new challenge. “I am very eager to familiarize myself with the school and extended community of Verdun, and look forward to forging new relationships with the many organizations that have a hand in shaping the futures of VE’s students.” We would like to extend our best wishes to both parties as they take on their new challenges starting on July 1st.