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Colin Brennan sings for the late Rob Ford one last time by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff 45 | Thursday, April 7, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com When Colin Brennan's dad told the Oakville teen Rob Ford had died, he replied he wanted to sing for the former Toronto mayor one last time for some "closure." The 13-year-old sang for Ford back in Nov. 18, 2013 -- the same day he was stripped of his mayoral powers. Ford gave Colin a signed T-shirt afterwards that read, "To the greatest singer in the world, Colin Brennan. Keep singing. Mayor Rob Ford." Colin visited Toronto City Hall where the former mayor's body lay in repose early last week with his dad, Gordon Brennan. "Because of his connection, he felt an emotional bond with him (Rob) and when he came home from school on the day Rob died, I told him what happened and he cried and wanted to see the video of him singing to Rob (on Nov. 18, 2013) again and then bittersweetly said to me that he wanted to say goodbye to Rob by singing to him again," said Gordon. When Colin reached the front of the line, Doug Ford, Rob's brother, recognized the Brennans. Colin then gave Doug a hug and asked if he could sing again to Rob. He sang Olde Irish Blessing by Linda Fletcher -- Colin's church choir instructor. Colin told the Oakville Beaver he was going to miss Rob and felt sad during the last two notes of the song, but he wanted to sing one last time to Ford. To see a YouTube video of Colin singing at Toronto City Hall, visit http://bit.ly/1UZ16df. Colin, who lives with Autism Spectrum Disorder, has been singing professionally since he was eight years old, according to his dad. He was a late talker and began singing before he began speaking. His parents say he speaks because he sings. When he was four years old, he would sing entire Care Colin Brennan sings to the late Rob Ford, whose body lay in repose early last week at Toronto City Hall. | screenshot from YouTube video Bears songs. Colin has an ability to memorize the words of entire songs in a short time and remembers them months later, said his dad. Colin has performed at a number of competitions and the walls of his room are filled with first, second and third place certificates and medals from talent contests. Last year, he was afforded the chance to meet and perform for Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, after emailing her office and simply asking if she wanted to hear him sing. Colin also has letters from Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who sent him a note to acknowledge his singing after she received his CD, Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, two from former prime minister Stephen Harper and other local politicians. Halton Music Showcase displays talents of hundreds of students Performers take the stage at Hamilton Place Theatre Hundreds of students will be displaying their musical talents during the Halton Music Showcase tonight (Thursday). Music students from the Halton District School Board (HDSB) will perform on the stage at the Grand Hall at Hamilton Place Theatre, 10 MacNab St. S., in Hamilton, in front of an audience of 2,000 parents, friends and supporters. "Halton Music Showcase is a celebration of great music happening in the Halton District School Board and offers our students an enriched musical opportunity to perform at a high level in a professional venue," said Kevin McConvey, HDSB acting instructional program leader for the arts, in a media release. "This concert is the collaborative effort of Halton teachers, students and our community partners such as Long and McQuade of Burlington." Approximately 1,000 students from Grades 4-12, from more than 55 Halton schools, began rehearsals in February to prepare for the annual spring concert. Performances will include concert bands, choirs, a jazz band and a bucket-drumming ensemble. A highlight of the evening will be the finale featuring a performance by a 600-member student choir. General $8.50 | Children & Seniors $6.50 | All seats Tues $5.00 ShOWTiMES fOR ApRil 8 - 14 NEW ThiS WEEK: ThE BOSS 10 Cloverfield Lane (14A) Fri - Wed: 9:00 PM Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (14A) Fri - Wed: 12:30, 3:30, 6:30, 9:10 Thu: 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 The Boss (14A) Fri - Thu: 12:40, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:40 The Lady in the Van (PG) Fri - Thu: 1:00, 6:40 The Little Prince (PG) Fri - Thu: 3:15 PM My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (PG) Fri - Wed: 12:50, 2:50, 5:00, 7:10, 9:20 Thu: 12:50, 2:50, 5:00, 9:20 Zootopia (G) Fri - Sun: 12:00, 2:15, 4:30, 6:50, 9:30 Mon - Wed: 1:10, 3:45, 6:50, 9:30 Thu: 1:10, 3:45, 9:30 171 Speers Road, Oakville (at Kerr St.) | 905-338-6397 (MEWS) www.film.ca