Singing for the Sydenham

Singing for the Sydenham

Last November we posted a story about CCS students developing community projects inspired by their learning circles. Vanessa Benoit’s project was to form an eco-choir, using music to raise awareness of issues facing the nearby Sydenham River. Since November the Sydenham River Choir has gathered to learn and to sing. They have released songs about the river on Band Camp.

Vanessa was concerned about what could happen to the river if plans go ahead to rejuvenate an old landfill beside Molly’s Creek which runs into the Sydenham. “I wanted to find a way of raising people’s awareness about this in a way that can generate love and interest and remind people why they care about the river,” Vanessa told Heather Wright from the Petrolia newspaper The Independent.

“This is just about where we live. And I feel like singing is a way of reaching people that doesn’t need to involve sides, that can be about connecting. I like the idea of having a choir too, getting people together in a way that’s supportive for the people who care about the river too.”