Rogers TV to air NAC Orchestra's "Sound Travels Canada"

Rogers TV to air Sound Travels Canada ’Äì a documentary on the first year of the NAC’Äôs Hawthorne School Project ’Äì on June 18 (with repeats on June 19, 20)

Ottawa (Canada) ’Äì On Wednesday, June 18 at 6 pm, Rogers TV will air Sound Travels Canada, a half-hour documentary developed and produced by Rogers TV covering the first year of the National Arts Centre’Äôs Hawthorne School Project. Sound Travels Canada will be given repeat airings on Thursday, June 19 at 10 pm, and on Friday, June 20 at 4 pm.

The Music Education Office of the NAC together with Bombardier launched an intensive five-week pilot program in February 2008 for two grade four classes at Hawthorne Public School in Ottawa. This was the beginning of a musical journey which will continue through grades five and six with the same children. Hawthorne School was selected for this pilot project because it has one of the highest student body populations of new Canadian children with over 50 languages spoken.

The documentary follows NAC Orchestra French horn player and teaching musician Elizabeth Simpson, and dance choreographer and teaching artist Renata Soutter as they give students the opportunity to learn and experience first hand the joy of making music as part of a collective. The students responded to music (Vivaldi’Äôs Four Seasons) and composed their own, drawing from their own unique cultural and artistic experiences in preparation for a performance with the NAC Orchestra Rideau Lakes Brass Quintet at their school on February 25. Rogers TV was also there as the children attended NAC Orchestra student matinees and met conductor Boris Brott, Elizabeth Simpson and other musicians backstage.

The documentary includes interview segments with Hawthorne School Principal Francesse Kopczewski, a teacher and students at the school as well as the teaching musicians.

Rogers TV produces thousands of hours of unique programming per year that reflects Ottawa's cultural diversity, including Ottawa Living. A distinctive entertainment digest, Ottawa Living is featured Sunday to Friday on cable channel 22.