A lifetime in a song
Students and seniors collaborate on recording
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This article was published 08/06/2015 (3749 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Though they may be more than 70 years apart in age, students at Henry G. Izatt Middle School and residents and Riverwood Square have found common ground in music.
Music-Life-Music is a collaborative project between Henry G. Izatt (HGI) students Rollyn Tabios, Molly Bae, Camrin Chizick and Caledon Lamb and the retirement residence’s choir.
Over the six months the two groups have been working together they have written and recorded an original song on the theme of life titled Memories are Back Again.
HGI vice-principal Mike Pizzi says the students bonded with the seniors over a shared love of music as they perfected the recording.
“And I think it’s because we started with music. So conversations started with looking at family traditions and how music fit into their lives at an early age,” said Pizzi, whose background is in music composition. “So we talked about what music was like when the seniors were the age of our kids here and what music meant to them and their families.”
The seniors shared numerous stories of how music was, and still is, a part of their life, whether it be through church, social outings, or family life.
“Nothing has really changed. These kids can really identify with that,” said Pizzi.
Resident Myrene Hodgson is featured on the second verse of Memories are Back Again which she wrote in addition to the chorus. The 91-year-old says she was contemplating serenity, peacefulness and especially memories as she composed the lyrics.
I see you/ I hear you/ I feel the winds of time. I see you/ I hear you/ Memories are back again is the chorus to the song, which Hodgson explains is about a lost love.
“In my mind it was like he had lost a girl or a wife, but sitting by the river he could still see her, and hear her, and feel her, and feel the winds of time,” Hodgson said. “So that’s how we got the chorus.”
Grade 9 student Rollyn Tabios, who wrote and performed the first verse of the tune, said the song is also about looking forward into life.
“I’ve learned to appreciate more the people I am surrounded with, and how important it is to keep in contact with those people because you never know what could happen,” said Tabios, 14.
According to Pizzi, Music-Life-Music has been one of the most enriching musical projects he has been involved with, adding that the reflections on life shared by both students and seniors offered an invaluable perspective on time.
“It allows me to move forward with validation that it’s all about valuing the people in your life and the relationships that you have because when your reflect back on it one day that’s likely where your heart is going to be.”
Listen to the recording of Memories are Back Again below or on HGI’s website: www.pembinatrails.ca/henrygizatt