fatima to florida
representing our province on the world stage
the details
Fatima Academy students will be traveling to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida this coming April to take part in Disney Magic Music Days. Our choir and accordian group will showcase Newfoundland talent and culture, not to mention have the opportunity to explore the magical Disney parks - an experience of a lifetime! Read on for more of the story....
Fatima Academy Choir to Embark on a Trip of a Lifetime
by AMANDA KERRIVAN
In childhood, one is subjected to many fantasies; becoming a prince or a princess, visiting a faraway land, and meeting a famous rockstar are among the few. One such fantasy is quickly becoming a reality for 49 Fatima students.
Walt Disney World ‘s “Disney Magic Music Days”enables successful student choirs from all nations, the opportunity of a lifetime. The April 3rd Music Day, of 2010 is committed to the Fatima Concert Choir. Forty-nine students from Fatima Academy will travel to Orlando, Florida to take to the stage and perform in front of an international audience of thousands.
The man responsible for the endeavour is Fatima’s now renowned Music teacher, Mr Robert Colbourne. Mr Colbourne initially had the idea several years ago, when he first heard of Disney Music Days. He believed that it was a possibility, and after seeing the never faltering commitment, talent and dedication of both the students, teachers, and the Fatima community, he was assured that Magic Music Days was an definite possibility. Mr Colbourne submitted the choir’s audition tape in September and on the 24th of October, Mr Colbourne was thrilled to receive the invitation from Walt Disney World for the choir and himself to join the Disney stage.
Mr Colbourne says, “Initially, there was concern about the financial commitment and the commitment in general from the students and the parents. But I quickly realized that just about anything is possible with the talent and the determination here.”
Grade 11 choir student Vicky Foley comments, “It was the first day of school when Mr Colbourne and Ms King told us about the possibility of being a part of Music Days. As soon as they got a few words out, we were all excited and thrilled at the idea. It was not only a trip to Florida and the opportunity to show everyone our talent. We may be small in numbers but we’re big on talent.” She continues, “it was never, ‘How are we going to be able to do this?’ it was always, ‘So, this is what we have to do. And I think that sums up Fatima as a whole.”
Parent Leona Kerrivan has a good understanding of the enormity of making this trip a reality but thinks that the experience is well worth it, “I can honestly say that there’s not a parent out there that isn’t working on making this trip happen. Or there’s not a student or a teacher at Fatima who isn’t working tirelessly. BI think we all understand how important this trip is to our kids. All the hard work will pay off when we welcome them back on April 8th, and hear them go on and on about this experience of a lifetime.”
Caitlin Lundrigan, a Grade 8 student and choir member says, “I can remember the exact moment Mr Colbourne announced our acceptance. We were obviously relieved, excited beyond anything, and just anxious for April to come.” She adds, “I’ve never been outside of Canada before, like a lot of the other choir members. So, to visit Florida with all of your friends and to preform on a stage like Disney, it’s something we’re not going to forget anytime soon.”
She also maintains that while the trip portrays the students’ hard work, it also shows Mr Colbourne’s, “It really shows Mr Colbourne’s commitment to us. Anything he does, he puts 100% into it. He never stops, and he’s the reason why we, the students work. Without him, this would not even be a possibility.”
The music teacher states his reason for doing what he is doing, “I think music is a medium that makes people become confident individuals.” Mr Colbourne says, “While students may forget information taught in a classroom, with music the confidence gained will never be forgotten nor will the memories made.”
Mr Colbourne, the director of the choir and our Accordion group, made the decision that the choir will perform strictly traditional Newfoundland music in Disney. He explains, “In recent years, there has been a great deal of enthusiasm for music and the arts, particularly the Newfoundland style. We want to keep the tradition and our culture alive. This is where we come from, this is who we are and now we can showcase it to the world.”
Growing up, many kids have dreams, goals and fantasies of what’s to come in life, some of which people may describe as childish or impossible to reach. But this trip, for 49 students, does not fit in those two categories. Their dreams, goals, and fantasies are becoming a reality that cannot be questioned.
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