Fatima accordion group releases CD

The sound of accordions echoing through the hallways of Fatima Academy is not an unusual one. In fact, it is almost a normal occurrence since Fatima Academy's accordion group released their first CD called "Keen Spurt of Fun."

When Robert Colbourne arrived at Fatima three years ago as a music teacher, he noticed students had a strong connection to the accordion and some students had talent to go along with that.

"The talent was definitely a quiet one, it wasn't something the students flaunted or played excessively. But after talking with them and getting to know them a little bit better, I noticed a certain degree of affection they had for the instrument," Colbourne explained. "The instrument is essential for traditional Newfoundland and Irish music. This type of music is adored and very well respected on the Cape Shore but unfortunately it wasn't as prevalent in the youth of the Cape Shore. Once I noticed this, I wanted to change it. I wanted to foster traditional music back into the Cape Shore's youth."

In order to highlight the Cape Shore's proud Newfoundland and Irish roots and bring back traditional music to the Cape Shore, Colbourne formed Fatima's first accordion group. In the past, the group has been a hit at the Kiwanis music festival where they received a adjudicator's choice award, they took the stage at the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival, was a source of entertainment for the Irish visitors at the Festival of the Sea conference, and performed at the local Cape St. Mary's Performance Series. In the upcoming months, the accordion group has plans to attend the Kiwanis music festival once again, act as the musical accompaniment for the Fatima Academy Concert Choir in Orlando, Florida, and perform at Ruckus on the Edge as part of the much anticipated Juno week celebration.

In early 2010, the idea to produce a CD of the accordion group's talent was born.

"I got the idea to produce a CD for the accordion group because I figured it was time for us to have a professional product that expressed the talent and commitment of the group," said Colbourne. "It was yet another way to help promote traditional music with the youth of our area while creating a memory that will stay with the students for the rest of their lives."

In mid-January this year, the 11 members of the accordion group piled into Sawyer Hill Productions in Point Verde to record their CD.

Kevin Collins produced the CD along with Colbourne.

"Creating the CD was extremely fun. It was hard work but because we all enjoy the music so much it turned out to be a great experience in the end, said bassist Mark Manning. "The knowledge we gained as a group from Mr. Collins was amazing... whether he was showing Zack a new drum beat or telling us how the studio equipment worked, we always listened attentively because we knew we could learn."

Colbourne said the CD could not have been done without Collins' help.

"Mr. Collins was an essential part of the process. He co-produced the CD and was a great help in making the students feel comfortable with their first time in the studio. It really could not have been done without him."

"Keen Spurt of Fun" is a compilation of 13 Newfoundland jigs, reels and waltzes that livens up even the casual listener.

Colborne maintains that it is the dynamic of the group, which transforms the "Keen Spurt of Fun" CD.

"The group, which has students as young as 14 and as old as 18 years old, has an undeniable love for music, which drives them to the fullest. Their taste is individual and eclectic, and ranges from pure Newfoundland traditional music to hard core rock. All members pride themselves on taking traditional songs and enhancing the arrangements with a more modern feel while keeping the integrity of the traditional tunes. It's the members and their passion for music which make the group what it is today, and what this CD is."

"Keen Spurt of Fun" is now available at The Music Shop in Placentia, Fred's Record's, O'Brien's music store, Walter Manning and Son's Ltd, and at Fatima Academy.

For more information on the group, check out the Facebook site www.facebook.com/accordiongroup.

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