Saskatoon schools part of largest 'O Canada' recording in history

It was a patriotic day at two Saskatoon elementary schools Tuesday morning as kids helped make history with their voices.

Students of all grades from École College Park School and Bishop Filevich Ukrainian School sang O Canada in the largest ever recording of the national anthem. The schools volunteered to be part of the project Flag of Canada – Hometown Proud.

It was started in Ontario by the Hometown Music Council, a non-profit organization that promotes music education in Canada. The group teamed up with the Ministry of Canadian Heritage to record the song in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Canadian flag.

The Saskatoon students were recorded in batches and will eventually be blended with the voices of around 28,000 students across the country.

“It’s just really special to be part of this because not many kids get to do this,” said Emma, a Grade 8 student at École College Park.

Carla Ambros, an arts education teacher at the school, got the ball rolling when she replied to an email asking if her school wanted to participate in the historic project.

“I thought it would be a good experience for the kids. We sing O Canada every morning and it’s really exciting to be part of something like this,” Ambros said.

She said most of the student body was equally as excited. Even kids who don’t like to sing, like Grade 8 student Ben, said they were still glad they took part.

“We live in this great country, it’s a first world place and I’m just so proud to be part of Canada,” he said. “Even though I can’t hear my voice, I know that I was singing it and I was still proud of my country.”

Kids from Regina were recorded on Monday and the tour will end in Whitehorse. Once it is finished, the collaborative O Canada recording will be posted online at flagofcanada.ca.