'We have some wonderful success stories': Music program offers opportunity for Prince Albert children
Participants in the Firebird North Sistema Music Project say they are looking forward to displaying their new skills in a Christmas concert.
“I’m excited to have a concert,” said Firebird North participant Phoebe Mullis.
The concert, on Dec. 9 at King George School, is open to the public.
Program instructors anticipate that many of the student's family members and interested community members will be in attendance.
Mullis is a Grade 3 student. She joined the program at the start of the school year. She says she enjoys the program and comes to it every weekday after school for two hours of instruction.
“I heard we get to play violin or cello and I wanted to learn how to play violin and also it just sounds really cool,” she said.
Firebird North Sistema Music Project originated in Venezuela in 1975. The purpose of the program is to create positive social change in Prince Albert by building a community of youth engaged in music and movement, says one of the program’s coordinators Abe Lancaster.
“We have an application process that typically focuses on some of our more vulnerable community members and community families that may not have access to lessons of this sort,” said Lancaster.
There are currently 35 elementary school students registered in the program. Participants learn multiple skills in the string orchestra, classical dance, yoga and choir.
“It’s a fairly intensive program and these kids have to really buckle down to learn this stuff. It’s really quite amazing,” he said.
Parents often report a noticeable change in self-esteem and attitude after their child starts the program, says Firebird North music instructor Dean Bernier.
“We have some wonderful success stories. We’ve had not only the parents but teachers that have seen the growth of some of the students in the program. They’ve seen the change and growth of the students in the classroom,” said Bernier.
He says it’s very rewarding to watch the children improve their musical skills.
“When students study music, every subject that they take in school is being utilized in their music training, even phys ed because musicians are mini-muscle athletes,” Bernier said.
Mullis says she’s excited to continue in the program and plans to take it for years to come.
The program is currently offered to elementary school students enrolled in the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Conservatives launch marathon voting session over Liberal refusal to scrap carbon tax
Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives have launched an overnight marathon voting session in the House of Commons, after signalling they'd be making good on their threat to delay the government's agenda over their opposition to the carbon tax.
Two charged with murder of Quebecer Daniel Langlois and partner in Dominica
The director of public prosecutions in the Caribbean nation of Dominica has confirmed that two men have been charged in the death of Quebecer Daniel Langlois and his partner.
Death toll rises to five in cantaloupe salmonella outbreak, as cases almost double
The Public Health Agency of Canada says the death toll has risen to five in a salmonella outbreak linked to Malichita and Rudy brand cantaloupes.
Two months into war, a Palestinian doctor and an Israeli activist's son unite in calls for peace
After two months of war, a Palestinian doctor and the son of an Israeli activist, are united in a common call for peace.
Ottawa announces $5.5M for health worker well-being and foreign medical grads
Ottawa has announced nearly $5.5 million in new funding to address health worker well-being and speed up the application process for international medical graduates who want to work in Canada.
Hunter Biden indicted on nine tax charges, adding to gun charges in special counsel probe
Hunter Biden was indicted on nine tax charges in California on Thursday as a special counsel investigation into the business dealings of President Joe Biden's son intensifies against the backdrop of the looming 2024 election.
UNLV shooting suspect had list of targets at that campus and another university, police say
The suspect in the deadly shooting at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, had a list of targets at the school and at East Carolina University in North Carolina, police said Thursday.
Canada doubling cost-of-living requirement for international students
Canada will more than double the cost-of-living financial requirement for incoming international students on Jan. 1, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller announced today.
'The Brick' is at the centre of our galaxy. An unexpected new finding may help unlock its mysteries
A box-shaped cloud of opaque dust that lies at the centre of our galaxy has long perplexed scientists, and observations that reveal a new detail about its composition are deepening the mystery — possibly upending what’s known about how stars form.