'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
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.