YONA
Posted by Tamisan Bencz-Knight
on Nov 08, 2013
Empowering Youth through Music Education Outreach
The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra has embarked upon an extraordinary joint partnership with the Edmonton Catholic School District, the Rotary Clubs of Edmonton Riverview and Sherwood Park, and the Inner City Children’s Program (ICCP) whose work together will inspire a sense of community and empower Edmonton’s underserved youth through music education outreach.
YONA-Sistema is a three-year pilot outreach program which launched in September 2013. Approximately 20 students enrolled at Mother Teresa Elementary School located in Edmonton’s city centre currently participate in an intensive after-school orchestra program.
For three hours, five days per week, grade two and three students receive group violin instruction in a safe and caring environment led by qualified teaching artists at no monetary cost to their families. Staff members from the Inner City Children’s Program, already well-known to the students, provide additional after school care support. The free program encompasses nutrition and academic support and incorporates physical activity into free play time.
The conception of YONA-Sistema was inspired by the distinguished El Sistema program model developed over 35 years ago in some of the poorest regions of Venezuela. The program’s framework does not train students for musical excellence, but rather focuses on the promotion of positive social change through daily engagement in an activity that builds self-confidence and responsibility—learning to play an instrument. The program’s goals are simple: build stronger communities and provide the tools to create better futures for the children who participate.
By the end of the three-year pilot, YONA-Sistema will expand to two schools, reach a wider age-group and offer a broader range of instrument instruction. As participants continue to build on their training, the older students will become peer mentors to younger and newer participants, helping to build a larger ensemble. By 2017, YONA-Sistema looks forward to the debut of the Youth Orchestra of Northern Alberta (YONA) for its first public performance.
The generous contributions from the Rotary Clubs of Edmonton Riverview and Sherwood Park and the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation have enabled YONA-Sistema to get off the ground. Community partnerships will be instrumental to long-term program sustainability, along with funding support from foundations, government investment, and private and in-kind contributions.
El Sistema’s founding father José Antonio Abreu asserts “music is an agent of social development because it transmits (our society’s) highest values - solidarity, harmony and mutual compassion.” For over 35 years, students and graduates from Sistema-based programs around the world have been impacted by this powerful philosophy and have experienced the immense power and joy of being part of something larger through musical collaboration.
For three hours, five days per week, grade two and three students receive group violin instruction in a safe and caring environment led by qualified teaching artists at no monetary cost to their families. Staff members from the Inner City Children’s Program, already well-known to the students, provide additional after school care support. The free program encompasses nutrition and academic support and incorporates physical activity into free play time.
The conception of YONA-Sistema was inspired by the distinguished El Sistema program model developed over 35 years ago in some of the poorest regions of Venezuela. The program’s framework does not train students for musical excellence, but rather focuses on the promotion of positive social change through daily engagement in an activity that builds self-confidence and responsibility—learning to play an instrument. The program’s goals are simple: build stronger communities and provide the tools to create better futures for the children who participate.
By the end of the three-year pilot, YONA-Sistema will expand to two schools, reach a wider age-group and offer a broader range of instrument instruction. As participants continue to build on their training, the older students will become peer mentors to younger and newer participants, helping to build a larger ensemble. By 2017, YONA-Sistema looks forward to the debut of the Youth Orchestra of Northern Alberta (YONA) for its first public performance.
The generous contributions from the Rotary Clubs of Edmonton Riverview and Sherwood Park and the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation have enabled YONA-Sistema to get off the ground. Community partnerships will be instrumental to long-term program sustainability, along with funding support from foundations, government investment, and private and in-kind contributions.
El Sistema’s founding father José Antonio Abreu asserts “music is an agent of social development because it transmits (our society’s) highest values - solidarity, harmony and mutual compassion.” For over 35 years, students and graduates from Sistema-based programs around the world have been impacted by this powerful philosophy and have experienced the immense power and joy of being part of something larger through musical collaboration.
Information from the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra website
Pilot Growth
2013-2014: 20 students from Mother Teresa School
2014-2015: 40 students from Mother Teresa School
2015-2016: 80 students in 2 schools
2017 the YONA orchestra will make its debut
Beyond that. Endless possibilities.
Program components: Violin, Musicianship, Nutrition and Academics
Teaching philosophy: Holistic focus on the child with high expectations. An environment fostering camaraderie and teamwork.
Costs:
Year One: $180,000
Year Two: $226,700
Year Three: $401,630
The program is not totally left to government to fund because it would be too vulnerable or at risk of being cut. In addition, the program is not reliant on one donor for the same reasons.
Musical instrument donation drive for any instrument for the program as well as opportunities to donate or volunteer.