Project Director Adam Jack works with students to write song lyrics. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Musical talent

DREAMer project creates music with students from Senator Myles Venne School

Mar 11, 2019 | 5:03 PM

The DREAMer Tribal Showcase was at Lac La Ronge Indian Band’s Senator Myles Venne School Monday introducing students to the art of making music.

“The project was put together in partnership with Thunderchild First Nation a couple of years ago,” said Project Director Adam Jack. “The idea was to be able to bring music out to the communities where the students can have their own experience … being part of the song writing process and what it takes to have a career in music.”

Those delivering the project are members of the band The Reckless Famous from Saskatoon and Senator was the seventh stop on their provincial tour. The project was made possible through a Jordan’s Principal grant from Health Canada and the crew has already visited communities such as Keeseekoose First Nation, Little Pine First Nation, Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, Pelican Lake First Nation and Sweetgrass First Nation. The showcase still has a few stops left and Jack said so far he’s been surprised to see the musical talent by young people across Saskatchewan.

Jack noted the band began working with students this morning by going over the basics of music like how to perform, lighting techniques, the gear needed to play and what is done behind the scenes to make the song come together. They also talked about drum beat and went over guitar chords to show them how the music to a song is a written. In the afternoon, Jack added, they wrote lyrics to a song and came up with the music to accompany them.

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“We’re contributors to what the students are doing, that way it’s their music that’s coming out,” he said. “We help them talk about what they are feeling and put it down of paper.”

Students learned how to play a variety of instruments during the session. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

So far, Jack stated seven songs have been created by touring communities out of a goal of 10. He noted the music will later be released on a compilation album, which will be available to purchase online. Jack mentioned all proceeds from the music sales will go towards purchasing musical equipment to be distributed to schools.

“The whole principal of this whole project is to … create awareness that you can achieve things and nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it,” he said.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno