An out-of-school education program that introduces music to low-income youth promotes overall early childhood development and provides a healthy, supportive environment where children can flourish.
Harmony Project Sooke is a non-profit charity that provides no-cost musical instruments and professional music instruction to underprivileged children in the Sooke region (School District 62).
Delivering quality education isn鈥檛 just teaching reading and writing. Instilling a love for music can help students gain life skills such as discipline, collaboration and teamwork.
鈥淢usic gives back. It is therapy in itself and investing in it leads to an increase in a child鈥檚 quality of life,鈥� said Lorna Bjorkland, executive director of the charity. 鈥淲hen you create a love for music, it can become a way of life, where everyone in some way is affected.鈥�
The program, launched in 2016, promotes the development of healthy youth through musical education and ensemble participation.
Students are enrolled in group classes and private lessons, helping promote discipline, dedication and teamwork.
The children are given an instrument to take home and practise on their own, with peers or by performing in public.
鈥淭he children build confidence, playing at churches, senior鈥檚 homes, Christmas fairs and parades,鈥� said Bjorkland, who herself started on her musical journey when her family inherited her grandfather鈥檚 piano when she was seven years old. 鈥淢usic is a positive thing to get children involved in.鈥�
The program provides a safe haven for children after school, with healthy snacks and non-musical activities.
As they become musically competent, students develop learning and thinking skills, which can contribute to academic progress, increase cultural understanding and help them form strong social and community connections.
Funding by the Victoria Foundation has allowed Harmony Project Sooke to increase participation to 45 children in the current school year.
鈥淔unding by the Victoria Foundation has made a huge difference for us,鈥� said Bjorkland. 鈥淣ot only did it allow us to register more children, it also gave the society financial stability for the year.鈥�
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