Andrew Slonetsky has led the Huron Heights music program for 25 years, but will retire in June. He conducted the band with a “10” on the intensity scale, he says. STAFF PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT
Newmarket
May 20, 2008 03:05 PM
By: Teresa Latchford, Staff Writer
Some would compare him with the Energizer bunny.
Despite the obvious differences — only one has a fluffy cotton tail and long pointed ears — Huron Heights Secondary School music head Andrew Slonetsky just keeps going and going.
He once calculated the time he spent in one school year on extra-curricular activities, which exceeded 1,000 hours and surpassed his teaching hours.
“I go full-tilt during the school year,” he said, smiling.
“But then I sleep through July then gear up to the day after Labour Day to do it all again.”
This year, however, will be different than all the others: it will be the first time in 48 years the day after Labour Day will not be the first day of school for Mr. Slonetsky.
Instead, he announced he will retire after 25 years of leading the music program at Huron Heights.
“He is the true renaissance man,” friend and colleague Mike Halfin said.
“Anything he touches, works.”
Mr. Slonetsky can do it all; teach, perform, construct and inspire, he added.
He has an uncanny ability to help students connect to historical events by making them relevant and helping them understand themselves and others on another level, Mr. Halfin said.
“Andrew is a deep person with a wicked sense of humour,” his longtime colleague added.
Mr. Slonetsky has a spiritual depth to which students are receptive, Mr. Halfin said.
In fact, his music class is more of a philanthropy group; he gives students a great gift to help them not only in high school, but throughout their lives.
“If they could cut the cloth from his mould, the education system would be in much better shape,” Mr. Halfin smiled.
“It is impossible to give the full dimensions of a man who is so multi-dimensional.”
Mr. Slonetsky describes himself as a compulsive teacher.
“When I was young, I used to look for kids on my street to teach piano to or tutor,” he laughed.
Although he will not return to the school, he plans to continue teaching English as a second language programs in the Third World.
He doesn’t just want to teach, he also wants to live in different communities to experience diverse cultures to the fullest. He teaches, but he is always learning, too, he said.
“I have three boys in university,” he said. “I never took them anywhere without quizzing them on history and such.”
In anything he does, he is either a zero or a 10, making him somewhat intensive, his wife of 26 years, Anne Keith, said.
“When I am at school, I’m a 10 on the intensity scale,” he laughed.
His passion for music, instrumental and voice, is not limited to the four walls of a classroom.
He has been the conductor of the Tapestry Chamber Choir for the past 19 years, celebrating its 20-year anniversary this year.
Mr. Slonetsky is the third child of six, all of whom play at least two instruments, although he is the only one who pursued a career in music. He plays the piano and French horn.
Mr. Slonetsky has an associateship in piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto, a bachelor of music from the University of Western Ontario and has studied choral conducting with Deral Johnson, Robert Cooper, Peter Hurford and Jon Washburn.
It is not difficult to imagine Mr. Slonetsky standing in front of a band or choir, enthusiastically directing the flow with his distinguished salt-and-pepper hair, neatly gelled in place and wearing smart clothes: this is a man who means business.
In 1990, he won the Leslie Bell Prize for choral conducting. He entered the contest at 34 — the cutoff age being 35 — and ended up winning.
“It was a really pivotal moment for me,” he said. “It gave me the ability to study voice, something that was really interesting to me.”
As a conductor, the thrill of an outstanding performance is hard to describe, he said. The most challenging aspect is being motivator of the group, getting everyone to set aside time from their busy lives to practise.
“I have to dangle a carrot that is so attractive they want to stretch themselves,” he laughed.
He craves the journey of a performance and prides himself with coming up with innovative ideas rather than playing it safe with a piece that has been done before.
“I never want to feel like I am treading water,” he added.
He believes in unique learning experiences and this is why he has led student groups to Europe, France and Italy to experience different cultures and music first-hand. He holds 25 meetings to help students prepare for the journey, making it less likely his young charges will experience data overload.
“On our last trip to Paris, the Notre-Dame Cathedral was too loud to sing and hear the acoustics because of the tourists,” he remembered. “So we went in at 8 a.m., sang and the priest asked us to sing for the mass after because he was impressed.”
When he is not in class, he enjoys canoe trips and cross-country skiing. He admits to being a beer and wine connoisseur.
Mr. Halfin is organizing an alumni tribute with people travelling in from around the globe to perform and show their appreciation of a dedicated teacher. The performance will be held at Newmarket Theatre June 26. Call the theatre at 905-953-5122 for tickets.
Mr. Slonetsky will conduct his final concert at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow and Thursday at the Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. For tickets, call Huron Heights Secondary School at 905-895-2384, ext. 198.
Andrew Slonetsky finishes our sentences
The last thing I Googled was ... the latest on Mac computers. I love them and am always looking to incorporate them into my teaching.
My guilty pleasure is ... checking the price of Apple shares too often.
My favourite composer is ... Bach, he satisfies my emotional side and my intellectual side.
My autobiography would be titled ... Empowered by Love.
If I had to choose a last meal, it would be ... at Eigemsinm Farm outside of Collingwood, where local farmers grow food for the chef.