NEW GLASGOW - New Glasgow Junior High School students have a new, six-stringed reason to hone their musical abilities.
The school recently received the gift of a new acoustic guitar and hard-shell case, both adorned with a plaque bearing Charlie Ward's name.
Robin MacNeil-Ward, wife of the well-known New Glasgow guitarist, donated the Yamaha guitar and case to the school.
Ward, who passed away in August 2009, spent a good deal of his time entertaining crowds in Pictou County and also across Canada, so the gift and the tribute is a fitting one. Following a tribute show for Ward last fall, MacNeil-Ward made several donations to local charitable causes, such as the Palliative Care unit at the Aberdeen Hospital.
But for this particular donation, she said, "I think he'd like this - to be able to give these kids a chance to pick up the ol' instrument."
NGJHS music teacher Steve Hartlen can attest that his students are making use of the instrument.
"We have students who come in on a regular basis - on their morning break or at lunch time. They use it to just play and jam and practise - it's used by a lot of guitar players.
"So it's great to have an instrument here that they can use and it encourages them even more. It's a great resource to have," he said.
Real guitar hero
Real guitar hero
- Published on January 29th, 2010
- Published on Febuary 20th, 2010
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Staff ~ The News
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Comments
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- harold
- - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:59
what a great way to honour one of pictou county,s best .loved watching charlie play all during my teens .just like to say that through these students .play on charlie play on.
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- art
- - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:56
Good to see your comment Harold. Charlie was quite the guy, he was music personified. I could never sing or play but always enjoyed Charlie and his spontanayity. It is too bad a lot of budding muscians will not know Charlie and the scope of his talent,
To Charlie music was not for fame or fortune but for the pure joy. Charlie may not have made a ton of money from his music but he left all who knew him a lot richer. Thank you Charlie and thank you Robin for keeping his legacy going. -
- Dave
- - February 22nd, 2010 at 13:31:47
Even from the other side , the legacy of Charlie continues to encourage young musicians to pursue their music interests. I say bravo to Robin and of course to Charlie for their continuing contribution to music in the county
