Over 170 EMSB students rock the red carpet: Launching new musical project

These students rocked the red carpet!

It was a way to celebrate the launch of their musical project “The Adventures of Eva the Louse” — a book with their very own audio track.

Arriving in limousines, the 175 English Montreal School Board (EMSB) students showcased the initiative to family, friends, and staff at the Palace Convention Centre in Laval on Wednesday night.

“We’re very excited because we worked really hard on this project,” said Laura Goffredo, student from Laurier Macdonald High School. “Now we can show everybody how hard we worked.”

And did they ever work hard…the project took 18 months to complete.

“It makes me feel like a celebrity,” said Clelia Valela, grade five student from Honoré-Mercier Elementary School. “This was just an amazing night.”

“I got to practice a lot, something that I like to do,” said Giuliano D’Andrea, grade five student from Honoré-Mercier Elementary School. “I got to be with my friends.”

“We got to practice with our wonderful teachers,” he added. “And have a good time.”

The book, comes with a CD and QR code so readers can listen to the tale that intertwines their music.

“We chose the story of Eva the Laos,” said Dimitris Ilias, Director, Chroma Musika. “Who is a Laos that lives in a village of lice on the head of a boy.”

“And then the boy has to cut the hair and so they have a shampoo ecological disaster in the village,” he added, laughing. “It’s really funny.”

“It’s like going from a normal kid to singer in a limousine,” said Valela. “This was amazing.”

“I’m so thankful to Mr. Dimitris because he made this possible,” she added. “He came here and he made my dreams come true.”

From auditions, weekly rehearsals, and recording in Montreal’s Oscar Peterson Concert Hall –- the project gave students a multi-level educational experience.

“They appreciate even more when they actually get the product,” said Ilias. “How much work has gone in it.”

“I love working on this project,” said Goffredo. “Because we get to meet new people and learn new songs.”

“And just make memories.”