Coffee with... -
You would be hard-pressed to find a person who does not appreciate some form of music. With so many different artists and genres to choose from, there's bound to be something for everyone on this planet. It's a worldwide art form, and a tool for communication that defies language barriers.
For most folks, appreciation for music develops at a young age. That's where guys like Mark Thibeault come in. For the last 29 years, Mr. Thibeault has helped enrich the lives of thousands of children who've passed through the hallways of Gander Academy. When not working at the school, he takes the time to teach private music lessons for piano students.
This month, all that will be coming to an end. Mr. Thibeault is eligible for retirement, and with that, the native of Rexton, N.B., will be returning to his home province to live an idyllic life at a riverside home.
Q: What are the earliest musical memories you can recall?
A: I started taking piano lessons when I was six years old. I remember going to a festival in Bouctouche with my best buddy as the only competitor in the same class.
I also remember my mother singing a lot. She used to sing when she did her chores.
Bouctouche is another one of those Mi'kmaq names in Kent County. Where I'm from, there's a lot of rivers, like the Chebucto River, the Miramichi River - those are all Mi'kmaq names. The river I'm from (Richibucto) means the river of fire, and it's the place where the Mi'kmaq nation had its centre. My mom taught as a teacher for about 10 years at the Mi'kmaq reservation. I guess that's why, in part, I had an interest in teaching.
Q: And it was your family, I guess, that also moved you towards playing the piano?
A: I was always encouraged. My mother made me practice, whether I wanted to or not. It was something I kind of fell out of, but when I got to university and found there were things I wasn't as interested in as I thought, I turned back to music for my music degree. I knew it was something I could do and that I found joy in doing.
Q: What was missing in the other subjects you looked at during your early time in university?
A: Sometimes you come out of high school in a small village, and there are things that are lacking a bit. I don't think I had a good science background, so maybe that steered me away from certain professions that would've had to have physics or math as a background. Maybe it was because I was more arts-oriented.
Q: How did you come about moving to this area?
A: In 1980, I had two jobs. One was in Chatham, N.B., but it was in five different schools. I didn't like the idea of that. I was offered this position in Carmanville (Carmanville School Complex), and it was a strictly music position for K-12 with some drama involved, so I took that, and then I came to Newfoundland and met my wife (Karen Thibeault, who was teaching in Davidsville) that first year. I guess that's why I stayed, too.
But, I love Newfoundland, and Gander has certainly been very good to us over the years. I guess it's a pretty special thing to be doing exactly the same thing in the same school for so long. Also, I feel privileged having been able to teach music. It's such a wonderful subject, and it brings a lot of joy to children.
Q: How important would you say patience is when teaching music to young people?
A: It's maybe the most important thing. Music is something not all children get right away. Sometimes we're blessed with groups of children who seem to get things a little faster, but sometimes you have to be more patient.
Doing the large programs we do - which I think is one of the coolest things about Gander Academy, that we put all of our children from a grade group into a concert and a musical - takes a lot a patience. You really have to be willing to wait for the children to get the harmony, or get the melody. But, it's always worthwhile. I think it's the thing I'll miss most - getting children ready for those performances. We're very proud of the way we do that here at the school - we use all the children that are available in a group.
Q: How has the work changed for you over the years? Has there been any noticeable differences in terms of the resources you've had to work with?
A: The curriculum has changed, and the latest one has been wonderful. Instead of having certain resources in only one or two things, we have a whole slew of resources. We have videos of dances from around the world, and we have a lot of different things to draw from. I've really enjoyed using the resources for our new music curriculum.
Q: Has the Internet changed how you teach music?
A: I'm older, so I don't feel that comfortable with all aspects of technology. It has changed things a bit. I guess 20 years ago when I first got a MIDI sequencer, and I could plug in my keyboard to use for accompaniment, that was a big step then.
Since then, the floppy disk I used for my little sequencer, I don't even think I can buy that anymore. Technology has changed a lot. There are things we can do with the computer. We can record the children's voice and play it back for them so they can hear what they sound like.
Q; What would you say is the main benefit of having music as part of a child's education?
A: Music is an art. They say music, poetry, painting, and all the other arts are what separate us from all the other animals. I think in Newfoundland and Labrador in particular, we have such a large amount of resources and folk songs. Children really need to learn that, and if they don't learn it in school, sometimes they won't learn it at all.
In terms of music as a general subject, I feel it's important (to teach) because there's a part of the brain that needs to be developed that's separate from other things they learn that are more factual or skills oriented. Music gives them a lot of joy. I know children look forward to music class, and they feel very comfortable coming in here. Even if I throw something at them that's challenging, they look at it as something they'll look forward to.
Q: You've already mentioned your mom, but are there any other people who were important to you in terms of your own musical development growing up?
A: I had a lovely nun that taught me piano. She was a quiet, gentle soul - probably didn't make me practice enough, but she was certainly a positive influence.
I had some really neat connections when I entered university and took music. My piano prof had (Newfoundland and Labrador songwriter) Art Scammell as a high school teacher in Montreal, because he moved from Newfoundland after he wrote all those songs. The first thing I did in her class was putting harmonies to The Squid-Jiggin' Ground, which I thought was a neat coincidence.
Q: Have there been any particular highlights of your teaching career in Gander?
A: Well, there has been many. Going to the (Joseph R. Smallwood) Arts and Culture Centre with the children so many times - I think I've done it 60 times - that has always been a real highlight. I like when you get to the point where the show is ready enough to go over to that stage.
I don't know if everybody realizes how lucky we are to have a theatre with a full fly loft (space above the stage for hanging scenery). The schools use it a lot. It's a nice thing to hear the reason we're getting new chairs is because the schoolchildren use the arts and culture centre a lot. The people who work behind the scenes - all the technicians - they put so much effort into getting the kids ready.
There has been times where the Town has been nice enough to ask me to fulfil rolls for performances and special events. Even though it has been a lot of pressure and took a lot of work to get the children ready, that has always been a point of pride for me - to go over and participate. (At the winter games) I was responsible for the opening and closing ceremonies. We had most of our school involved in that, as well as others.
Even things like the 10th and 20th anniversaries of the Arrow Air disaster, I had my choirs sing for those ceremonies. They were solemn events, but they were still highlights, and it was an honour to be asked to take part.
The Kiwanis Music Festival has been great to us. We always take in throngs and throngs of children there, and that's an organization I think also needs to be supported. I don't know if they have a lot of members, but they certainly have a lot of organization skills to be able to put the festival together.
Q: What is your favourite piece of music?
A: Well, (Johann Sebastian) Bach's Air on the G String came to mind just then. I don't know if it's my favourite, but it has a beautiful melody.
Q: Is it weird getting to the point where you're counting down the days as a classroom teacher?
A: I wouldn't call it weird. There comes a point in your career where you are ready to retire. But, there have been moments where I find I'm experiencing a lot of emotion. I just had my last musical with my grade sixes, and it was wonderfully done.
The children did really well, and I was very happy for them, but I remember just saying goodbye and thank you to the parents, and then I had to go back to my dressing room, and I felt really sad. There are things I'm definitely going to miss about this job. As hectic as it can be, it has been great, and there has been some wonderful opportunities.
Q: What advice would you have for the person that gets to fill your shoes next year?
A: I'm sure I don't have any advice that person wouldn't already know. People who teach music are very well trained. I think, as far as advice goes, I just might say enjoy your work as much as you can. In the long run, the important thing is that children come through this door and look forward to their music class, and see it as an enjoyable experience.
Q: I guess having a teacher that enjoys it certainly helps the learning experience?
A: It makes a big difference, yeah.
Q: So what are your plans now with your impending retirement so near?
A: I plan to do very little of anything for awhile. We're trying to go back to a homestead that was left to me in New Brunswick and try that for a couple of years at least. We could come back to Gander, but we owe it to ourselves to try this.
It's a beautiful house on the river. It's a river I miss a lot. I love Gander Lake, but when you're grown up on the water, I think most people who have often think they'd like to go back to that if they've been living away. This house is right on the river - you could roll off the seawall and swim.
We could come back to Gander, because there's many things about this town I'll miss when I'm away.
Q: Will you still find ways to keep music in your life?
A: I would like to teach privately a little bit. One of the things I've really enjoyed about Gander is being a member of the Catholic church's choir. Jeannie Collins is a friend who has really helped me a lot with choirs and has certainly fostered in me an interest to continue with that, whether I play or sing in the choir at home.
info@ganderbeacon.ca
.jpg)
.jpg)
