Press Release / Community

Red Carpet launch for much anticipated children’s audio book

 Red Carpet launch for much anticipated  children’s audio book
Montréal - Friday, November 1, 2024

A total of 175  English Montreal School Board students were front and center on Wednesday, October 30  at the official red carpet launch for the illustrated children’s audio book and CD of The Adventures of Eva The Louse at the Palace Convention Centre in Laval.

Greek-Canadian opera singer Dimitris Ilias, along with Maria Diamantis of Chroma Musika,  have overseen this major project.  For the past  25 years their work has promoted high quality music activities for Canadian children, their families, their local communities as well as the general public. Since its establishment in 1999 the company has produced a plethora of concerts, seminars and recordings ranging from ancient Greek music to contemporary Canadian and Hellenic composers and video game audio material.

“The Adventures of Eva the Louse” recounts the tale of a village of lice located on the head of a boy named Paul. “When he comes home, the parents ambush Paul and they put him under and they start to de-louse him and cut his hair.”  Mr. Ilias explains. “There is an ecological disaster at the Village of the Lice, so these rivers of shampoo wash away their homes.”

At the launch the students performed with acclaimed composer Giannis Georgantelis and illustrator Philippe Béha. “This has been a unique educational journey, showing how literature and music can inspire and educate our children in remarkable ways,” said Mr. Ilias. 
“This event isn’t just a performance—it’s the result of 18 months of dedication, teamwork, and learning that highlights the power of creativity and community.”

"The Adventures of Eva the Louse” recounts the tale of a village of lice located on the head of a boy named Paul."

Students come from the following 16 EMSB schools: Willingdon, Royal Vale and St. Monica in NDG; Edinburgh,  Elizabeth Ballantyne and Royal West Academy in Montreal West; Roslyn in Westmount;  Pierre de Coubertin and Honoré Mercier in St. Léonard;  Gardenview,  Cedarcrest and LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent;  Nesbitt in Rosemount;  Rosemount High; Carlyle in TMR; and St. Gabriel in Pointe Ste. Charles.   Royal Vale grad Devon Packer was the orchestra’s pianist.

Watch this report by EMSB grad Pamela Pagano for CityNews Montreal:

About the English Montreal School Board
With a youth and adult sector population of more than 35,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, the EMSB network consists of 73 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.