Nova Scotia Rendition of O Canada Presented to Schools

Students across the province will soon be able to sing along to an all-Nova Scotia rendition of O Canada.

A special recording of the national anthem, featuring Symphony Nova Scotia and the voices of the Children's Chorus of Nova Scotia, was presented to Education Minister Ramona Jennex at ceremony at Southdale-North Woodside School in Dartmouth today, Nov. 2.

"The playing of the national anthem is a central part of the school day in Nova Scotia," said Ms. Jennex. "I want to thank the CBC, Symphony Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Choral Federation for this marvelous gift of music to our students."

The idea for the recording came from Brian James, chair of the Symphony Nova Scotia Players' Association and his wife Michelle, a music teacher for the Halifax Regional School Board.

"We thought that the students in Nova Scotia schools ought to have the opportunity to hear beautiful and inspired renditions of our national anthem performed by musicians right here in Nova Scotia," said Mr. James.

The CBC recorded five versions of O Canada with Symphony Nova Scotia and the Children's Chorus of Nova Scotia at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax last April. The entire symphony was joined by 105 youth from children's choirs from across Nova Scotia. They recorded bilingual, English, French, a capella choir and solo orchestra versions of the anthem, which are all included on the CD.

Schools can use the recordings as their morning anthem and at special events.

"This is the one song that tells everyone how proud we are to live in Canada and to be Canadians," said Andrew Cochran, managing director for CBC in the Maritimes. "We're grateful to Symphony Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Choral Federation for being such splendid partners, and making it possible to give our national anthem to every school in Nova Scotia."

The recording helps mark the 75th anniversary of the national broadcaster.

Everyone involved in the recording donated their time, skills, talents, equipment and facilities.

The CD will be distributed to schools later this fall.