Une chanson pour faire une différence
Polyvalente St-Jérôme

When you’re 15 or 16 years old, with very little or no money, you may often wonder if you really can be of help, lend a hand or “pass it forward.” Not long ago, the 400 Secondary 4 students at the Polyvalente Saint-Jérôme asked themselves this very question. Their answer: “Yes we can!” Their means: “Let’s say we write a song and donate it to a charitable organization!” This is their project that has captured the imagination of everyone… and the enthusiasm of local organizations that may one day inherit the song in question.

For several years, the students in Secondary 4 at the Polyvalente Saint-Jérôme, as part of their English class, have been learning the language by exploring some forty organizations established in their area. Last year several students expressed the desire to be able to support the mission of these organizations but, for lack of time, were not able to do so. This year, with the “A song to make a difference” project, the students will have every opportunity to actively contribute in order to support the development of a local, regional or even provincial organization. To help promote an organization using the arts is a gift that is fun both to give and to prepare!

“This project calls upon a host of different talents, from music composition to writing without forgetting drawing, because of course the album will need to have a cover,” enthuses Caroline Côté, a French teacher and the project’s spokeswoman. “Ever since the project was launched, our teaching method has been given a huge boost. The students feel as though they are working on something tangible and the subject matter now has much greater meaning,” she adds.

Although the project is not yet finished, it is progressing well. The 400 or so students involved have already pinpointed different organizations and have started to gather information in order to determine which one appeals to them the most.

In the meantime, the students in the music class, with the keen support of their teacher Alain Gravel, have already done their part for the project and have submitted what is called a chord progression that will eventually become the real melody once the song has been chosen. Finally, it is a creation by Cynthia David that was selected and that will be adapted to the chosen lyrics.

“It’s really interesting to be able to produce something with a specific goal in mind rather than simply doing it for our school record,” the student acknowledges, also admitting that she has a soft spot for the Tel-jeunes organization. “I have been playing the guitar for a long time now and I also write my own compositions but this is special. What’s more, because it was my creation that was picked, it’s even more special.”

The students, individually or some in teams, will soon begin writing their song. A single text per class will be selected among the 13 French groups and then the best four will be eligible for the final vote. At this point, each composition will be given a melody and will be recorded on school premises by the music students. Next, all those working at the school and the entire student body will have the chance to hear the four songs on a regular basis before voting for the overall winner. “We are even going to hold auditions to find the best voice in the school and thus do justice to the song that is chosen. And once we have our winning masterpiece, we will record the final version in a professional studio,” explains Caroline Côté.

By the beginning of May, the organization selected as the recipient of the creation will be awarded the song during an official ceremony that will take place at the Polyvalente. Until then, you can follow all the production stages of this original song, and ultimately listen to the final product, on the school’s Internet site (www.csrdn.qc.ca/psj).

“As well as rallying the entire student community, this project has the immense merit of helping young people be more open to their community and the various non-profit organizations it encompasses. They also realise that as a team, despite limited funds, it is possible to do something significant for these organizations,” the teacher concludes.

Une chanson pour faire une différence
Polyvalente St-Jérôme