"I love live bands," he exclaims. "There is just something about a live band which captures the essence of music and that is why I have devoted my entire career to this segment of the industry."

Norm is shown with one of the students in his Music class, Lianne Caron, who is a "Recording Engineer" in the State-of-The-Art Recording Studio that was built with the help of a $23,000 Trillium Grant from the Valley East Lions Club. Lianne, who is in Grade 11, watches carefully while Andre Scott and Kary-Lynn Mercer, two Grade 8 students from Pinecrest Public School record their song for a CD that was being produced by the class. Approximately one group or individual per week comes to the studio each week The school asks for a donation of $25 per hour, which includes the time in the studio to record the music, complete editing and technical refinement of the recording, transferring the music on to a CD and the finished product ready to take home in about two weeks. For about $50 you can record an entire CD and walk away with a professional product that is as good as you will get anywhere! 

"This studio is one of the best kept secrets in Valley East," McIntosh declared. "We use professional equipment and recording software that is currently used in over 80% of the recording studios in the country. The studio is large enough to accommodate an 80 person choir or a single performer. We even record our Evolutionary Band here."

Despite the technological advances being made in the industry, Norm feels that as long as young people are encouraged to develop an "ear for music" there is no fear that computer generated music will replace live performances. However, he feels that music programs in schools in Ontario must continue to be funded and even expanded or students will lose a lot more than the chance to play in a band.

"It has been well documented that music students do much better in other curriculum areas. Because music is such an exact science, it develops a desire for perfection in a young person. For example, if you have a 100 question test in math and you get 90 correct, you will get an 'A' and feel good about yourself. However, if you have a 100 note musical piece and you make 10 mistakes, the end result will be terrible and you will certainly not get an 'A'," explained McIntosh.

"Another thing working in a band teaches you is team-work. If you have a 24 member band, the group is only as good as the weakest player. Therefore, you see a lot more cooperation and encouragement as stronger players help the weaker players become better. One person off key can destroy an entire performance, so there is definitely a commitment to working together as a team," McIntosh went on.

"When I was little I was always singing and dancing, pretending to be a famous star," she reflected. "As I got older I continued to build up more and more interest in music. I've played the sax for five years and the keyboard for a year. I'm also in the Confed band."

However, when she took the first part of the Music program last year, Tasha discovered something.

"I realized my own personal limitations when it came to performing, and know that it would be unrealistic for me to try to get into a career on stage, but when I took Mr. McIntosh's music class I discovered that I could still make a career out of my passion for life on the technical side," this very mature young lady explained.

"I plan on going to college next year to become a recording engineer," stated Tasha. "What I've found is that I totally enjoy editing and adding technical enhancements to a recording. The best part of it is when you let a person listen to the CD that you have just worked on. When you see how good they feel about the creation you have worked on, it gives you a real special feeling. I know this is what I want to do for a living and I am so glad I took Mr. McIntosh's music course to discover what I can do with my life."

Two students, Lianne Caron, and Matt Roy, recorded several messages on an original sound track. All of the students in the music class were assigned the task of editing the recording and putting in special effects such as background music so that the finished CD would appeal to five different age levels in elementary school. Krista had one of her versions with Puff The Magic Dragon as the background.

Krista is not sure what she will be doing after she graduates in June. She stated that she may take a year to save some money and travel to Africa while deciding on the career she hopes to pursue.

Megan plans on studying for a Public Relations and Business career and attributes the skills she has learned in the music class as preparing her well for such a career. "Being involved in music has done so much for my outlook on life. It makes you feel so positive and helps you to work with people of all ages. You learn how to become a performer so that you know how to act in different situations and you learn how to do your best in everything you do."