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Kickin' out the jams
Rankin takes part in international music celebration

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, May 14, 2014

KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
A large gathering of students and teachers lifted their voices to join an international chorus celebrating Music Monday at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik (MUI) in Rankin Inlet earlier this month.

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Tatonya Autut puts her soul into her performance during Music Monday at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik in Rankin Inlet earlier this month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

MUI music teacher Darren Kools was master of ceremonies for the event, and said although Music Monday is recognized as a national Canadian event, it is also celebrated in Europe and a few other places around the world.

Now in his second year as music teacher, Kools said although students at Leo Ussak Elementary School weren't ready in time to perform at this year's Music Monday, students from Simon Alaittuq School did take part in the event with those from MUI.

He said Music Monday is really all about the celebration of music education.

"Whether it's bringing music to communities or schools, it's celebrating what music does for us," said Kools.

"Music helps us with so many other faculties, whether it's connecting the arts to English, or music to math.

"Right now there's a big connection between music and science being forged by (retired Canadian astronaut) Chris Hadfield, who, of course, commanded the International Space Station.

"He celebrated Music Monday this past year by singing in space, and the connection between music and science has produced beneficial results for everyone involved."

Kools said everyone can play music if they truly want to.

He said the students in his music class started out knowing, basically, nothing.

"I started from the basic bottom and brought them up from there.

"The music is inside them and it's really about whether they let it come out.

"For people who wanted to perform, I gave everyone an opportunity and I didn't have to actually turn anybody away.

"The big part is confidence, and it was those students who had the confidence to come and see me to pursue music who did such a wonderful job in putting on a fabulous show."

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