Saamis Immigration learning centre treated to O Canada by St. Mary’s band

By Tim Kalinowski on November 4, 2017.

tkalinowski@medicinehatnews.com @MHNTimKal

The St. Mary’s School Grade 9 band surprised new Hatters at Saamis Immigration’s learning centre Friday for Random Acts of Kindness Day with an impromptu rendition of “O Canada.”

The hush-hush operation was organized between the City of Medicine Hat, Saamis Immigration and St. Mary’s School. Teachers and staff at Saamis knew the concert was coming but the students were kept in the dark until the last minute.

“So this was a big surprise,” stated Saamis community connections co-ordinator Mary Tulip. “It’s so nice to see this welcoming spirit on display.”

St. Mary’s band teacher Bradley van Middlekoop said it was a real pleasure for his students to take part in the day.

“We are really excited about it,” he said. “We think it was a cool opportunity, and we were talking about what it is like to immigrate and be somewhere new in a different country. And especially on a day where we are having a huge snowstorm, we are enjoying the opportunity to share our gift of music with people who may not have been privy to hearing our national anthem played. We are also excited to chat with the people who are watching us play today.”

After the concert, St. Mary’s students intermingled with the city’s newly arrived Canadians for lively conversation and snacks. Naeemudin Ahnad, who just moved from India to Canada in March, said the concert made him happy.

“I am surprised, and I feel good and very happy,” he said. “It was nice and good music.”

Ahnad was not quite as pleased with Friday’s snowy weather.

“This is very different from India winter — this is very much cold(er),” said.

Several other schools and organizations across the city also took part in Random Acts of Kindness Day despite the snowy streets and weather.

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