Palgrave students to perform song in honour of Games

May 6, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
The spirit of the upcoming Pan Am Games is getting stronger in Caledon, and there’s even music to help celebrate it.
It the creation of two teachers at Palgrave Public School, and it’s going to be performed June 13 at the Caledon Day celebrations at Caledon East.
The song is called Reins of Glory, and music teacher Walter Lolli said the name ties in with the equestrian events that are going to be taking place in Palgrave. French teacher Michelle Papp added it was sung in July at the celebrations commemorating one year to go before the games at the Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park in Palgrave.
She added it took about a year to write the song. “It was a work in progress,” she said.
Lolli said the Town’s parks and recreation department approached the school about participating in the festivities.
The song is going to be performed Caledon Day by students Julia Gentile and Nina Bugera.
Julia, 14, has performed at a number of local events, like talent shows, hockey games, etc.
Nina has been undergoing training at the Royal Conservatory of Music, displaying a fondness for operatic music.
Julia said she got picked for this when she sang a tune from Wicked at the conclusion of a school assembly.
“And that was so good,” Nina was quick to add.
Lolli said that prior to that, he had never heard Julia sing, adding he had heard her play alto sax.
“I said to myself, ‘I want her to sing the song,’” he recalled.
“These two rose to the occasion,” Papp added.
She also said she was very taken “by the feeling in Nina.”
“She has a great depth of feeling,” she added.
The two girls have sung in front of audiences enough that stage fright is no longer an issue. Julia said she used to get stage fright.
“It depends on how big the audience is,” Nina said.
Both were quick to say they’re not worried about performing Caledon Day.
Papp said they see the song as something of an anthem for the coming Games.
“It’s symbolic of everything that the pan Am Games represent,” she observed.
Lolli added that includes youth, passion and “getting the opportunity to shine and be a star and represent your country,” he said.
Papp also commented the song is geared toward the equestrian events, but they hope the lyrics will be seen as universal.
Lolli said the Games will be “brining together the unity of the Americas.”
“It’s also about going against odds and rising above doubts to achieve goals,” he stressed. “I you say you want it, want it bad enough, you’ll find a way to make dreams come true.”
“It’s a great opportunity,” Julia said.
More information about the song is available at http://reinsofmusic.com

Palgrave Public School teachers Michelle Papp and Walter Lolli flank Nina Bugera and Julia Gentile, who will be singing Reins of Glory June 13 as part of the Caledon Day celebrations. It will also be a celebration of the coming Pan Am Games.
Photo by Bill Rea