Spooky Halloween howlers sing at Norman Foote's Dekker Centre show

NORTH BATTLEFORD — Norman Foote toured western Canada, and with roots in Saskatchewan he was excited to come to the Dekker Centre. And with a choir formed by Bready Elementary School students, children and their families were brought closer to the performing arts in North Battleford.

Recounting the start of his musical career, Foote shared a story from his elementary school days at his Dekker Centre show on Oct. 28. While playing on the playground, his peers warned him of the infamously grouchy Grade 4 teacher, Mrs. Wiley. 

“Out on the playground, kids told me, ‘Wait until you get to grade four. She’s really mean. She’s really mean,” Foote said.

After seeing Mrs. Wiley in the hallway with a grouchy expression, Foote dreaded his way through summer vacation. On the first day of school, and with his mother forcing him to continue going to school, Foote started Grade 4.

“In class, nobody moved. We put out books on the desk and kept them neat and tidy. No one ever chewed on a pencil, and when she gave us homework we went straight home and did it before going out to play. At recess we lined up, and everyone behaved themselves, everyone was polite and no one talked out of turn.”

One day, Mrs. Wiley told the class that they would be having a music appreciation day and instructed them to stand up one at a time and sing their favourite song.

“Looking back, I think Mrs. Wiley was tired. It was Friday afternoon,” Foote said.

When it was his turn to sing, Foote stood up, paralyzed. He couldn’t think of a song. 

“Suddenly, a miracle happened to me. Out of thin air, I started making up my own song.” 

After his song, he began walking back to his desk, only for Mrs. Wiley to ask him if he had made it up. Terrified, Foote responded.

“Yes.”

“She looked me in the face and she said ‘you keep writing songs there, mister, because you’re good at it.’” 

After that day, Norman Foote started writing songs. Foote believes Mrs. Wiley was the best teacher he’d ever had.

“That was the best lesson I ever had: don’t judge an older person by the look on their face.” 

You can read more about the award-winning singer, songwriter, performer and puppeteer Norman Foote on his website