EMSB students wrote to launch an 18-month music project

The Adventures of Louise Eva is a musical project that brings together the talents of over 150 students from the English Montreal School Board. The multi-level educational and artistic initiative is led by co-conductors Dimitris Ilias and Kerry Roebuck. Friday was the second of two recording days at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall.

“For the actual recording of the book, we used an orchestra in Sofia, Bulgaria,” says Ilyas, adding, “(the orchestra) recorded there, and then the kids recorded with headphones.”

The collaboration with the 40-piece orchestra culminates in an album and a book that aims to give students an insight into the music industry.

“A lot of these kids have no musical background or choir experience. We mostly listen to them. We choose kids who can pick up music quickly, and then they sing,” said the music director to CityNews.

Concordia University music professor and project engineer Mark Corwin, who has produced 11 such albums and books, encourages students to take a behind-the-scenes look at the studio as well.

“Now they know they were in recording studios when they sang for this book that's on the shelf. Some people may think about the effects of a recording studio when they look at work. (…) Their education should be as complete and comprehensive as possible,” Professor Corwin explained.

“The Adventures of Eve the Lice” tells the story of a village of lice in the head of a boy named Pavel.

“When he comes home, his parents ambush Pavel, take him under, strip him and cut his hair.” Ilyas adds, “There was an ecological disaster in the village of Litz, so these rivers of shampoo are washing away their houses.”

Story by author Michalis Makropoulos with illustrations by Philippe Beha and composition by Giannis Georgantelis.

“The music that Giannis writes has different elements,” says the music director. For example, “he has a tarantella, which is a very happy Italian sound piece. It reminds you of Conan the Barbarian, a very slow march as they walk through the heavy desert of Grandpa's Baldhead. (…) It makes it interesting for children.

“What I love most about my songs is the ability to express my emotions. I love songs where you can just feel the tension and the joy,” said Noah Roth, a Year 6 student at Royal Vale School.

Marley Tapia, 4th grade, Willingdon Elementary School: “One of my favorite songs is Bitter Village. (…) We played for the sound effects of the book and had to clap.

Although writing is a very difficult process, Ilyas says that he is glad to have a small group of specialists.

“These kids, when the book comes out, it has their names in it. (It) launches in October and they have a big red carpet event. They come in limousines. They will sign the books next to the composer, author and illustrator. So we do a big, big event and they sing with a live symphony orchestra,” he told CityNews.