Ralph McIntosh is this year's recipient of the Joan Mantle Music Trust Community Award. A long-time educator with Rainbow District School Board and champion for the arts in Sudbury, Ralph McIntosh has inspired generations of students to achieve their full potential, instilling in them important life skills, including teamwork, confidence, empathy and responsibility.
The Community Award, which commemorates Joan Mantle's positive impact on music and music education, will be presented at the Joan Mantle Music Trust Community Concert and Silent Auction on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The concert will begin at 7 pm in the Sheridan Auditorium at Sudbury Secondary School.
Ralph McIntosh, recipient of the 2025 Joan Mantle Music Trust Community Award
"Ralph McIntosh has had a significant impact on music and music education in our schools and in the community," said Bruce Bourget, Director of Education for Rainbow District School Board. "We welcome the opportunity to celebrate his immense contribution and to express our deep gratitude and sincere appreciation for all that he has done and continues to do for students and for the arts."
Ralph McIntosh began his teaching career at Churchill Public School in 1982. Four years later, he joined the growing staff of the Performing Arts Program at Sudbury Secondary School where he taught vocal music, musical theatre and piano. Launched in 1985, the Performing Arts Program was the first of its kind in Northern Ontario and only the third of its kind in the province.
Over the years, Ralph McIntosh played an integral role in the evolution of Performing Arts into the vibrant Arts Education Program that it is today. With access to modern studios and a state-of-the-art amphitheatre, students develop their talents in music, dance, drama, visual arts, photography, and media in a school that fosters arts, athletics and academics.
Ralph McIntosh produced numerous recordings with the Sudbury Secondary School ensembles and contributed to countless musical productions and festivals at the school, community and provincial levels. His vocal groups performed annually at the CTV Lions Club Telethon for many years, often with the opening act.
Ralph served as Arts Education Co-ordinator in Rainbow Schools from 2005 until his retirement in 2015. Through his leadership and collaboration with teachers, students explored dance, drama, music and the visual arts in the classroom and the community. Ralph shared his vision for the arts as an important component of a well-rounded education and an engaged citizenship.
An active member of the Ontario Music Educators Association during his teaching career, Ralph chaired the Northeastern Ontario Regional Arts Conference for many years. He welcomed touring artists from the Canadian Opera Company and the Toronto Symphony into local schools, exposing students to artistic performances of a national caliber. Many of the theatre shows that he promoted delivered important messages about poverty, anti-bullying and mental health. For Ralph McIntosh, art is a powerful medium for building awareness and affecting change.
In 2008, Ralph was appointed the inaugural Chair of the Joan Mantle Music Trust Steering Committee. To date, over $300,000 has been raised to purchase new instruments for students in Rainbow Schools. The Trust has also hosted community concerts to showcase student talent with community artists.
Ralph continues to be a powerful voice for the arts in his current role as the Education Director for YES Theatre, a position he assumed with the Sudbury Theatre Centre following his retirement. Ralph oversees theatre education programs, PA Day opportunities, and the March Break and Summer Theatre Camp programs. Ralph coordinates matinee performances for schools and provides materials to support teachers with links to the curriculum. Ralph also supports the Young Company Program, assisting with auditions, performances and all aspects of production.
Since the fall of 2012, Ralph has served as the General Manager, Assistant Director and Accompanist with the Young Sudbury Singers. For many years, he was a member of Octatonic Decadence, an award winning a cappella group that performed locally and beyond to raise funds for different charities. Ralph is also active in the community as a church musician.
Ralph has received the Sudbury Arts Council - Oryst Sawchuk Award - 2023; the Rainbow District School Board - William N. Roman Teacher of the Year Award - 2000; and the Rainbow District School Board - Award for Excellence - 1993.
Joan Mantle Music Trust Community Concert and Silent Auction
Local performers will join music students and teachers from Rainbow Schools to celebrate the Joan Mantle Music Trust during a gala Community Concert and Silent Auction on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 7 pm in the Sheridan Auditorium of Sudbury Secondary School.
The Concert will feature guest performers Northern Memphis Revival as well as showcase the talent of students and staff in Rainbow Schools, including the Lo-Ellen Park Senior Concert Band, the Algonquin Road Public School Junior Choir, the Jazz Sudbury Youth Band, the MacLeod Public School Drumming Ensemble, the Valhalla Guitar Ensemble from Lockerby Composite School, the Sudbury Secondary School North Star Choir and The Noise from Confederation Secondary School.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students. Doors will open at 6:15 pm for the Silent Auction which will be held throughout the evening. All proceeds will support music education in Rainbow Schools.
Tickets can be purchased by:
Accessing SchoolCash online at the following link: tinyurl.com/jmmtconcerttickets
Visiting the main office at Sudbury Secondary School, 154 College Street, open 8:30 am to 3 pm on regular school days.
Emailing info@rainbowschools.ca or calling 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.
A donation option is also available: tinyurl.com/jmmtconcertdonation
