Euterpe: Music Is The Key’s project to bring our evidence-based, fun, interactive music education performance programs to 37 underserved schools in the Greater Toronto Area was made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of The Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Thank you to OTF for sponsoring this invaluable initiative.
Public School, Toronto
Photos by Linda Schettle
Children are inspired by Euterpe’s music education performance programs. A young girl emulates playing the piano during the performance.
Their comments were priceless. “How did the piano fit through the school door?” “I want to play the piano just like you, will Yamaha give me a piano too?”
None of these children had ever seen a grand piano, let alone heard one played so beautifully.
Here children are clapping and moving to the groove of Sony Rollins St. Thomas.
Here children are clapping and moving to the groove of Sony Rollins St. Thomas.
Inspired to move to the syncopated rhythms of Ragtime.
Fascinated by the instruments and musical experience, here children gathered close to some of the instruments while the performers were playing.
Enthralled by the bass, these children are in good hands with our bass player George.
Enthralled by the bass, these children are in good hands with our bass player George.
Enthralled by the bass, these children are in good hands with our bass player George.
Enthralled by the bass, these children are in good hands with our bass player George.
Budding cello enthusiasts receive encouragement and first hand instruction from Liza.
Budding cello enthusiasts receive encouragement and first hand instruction from Liza.
“Please can I try the piano Catherine?” Encouragement and opportunity prevail.
More engagement with Catherine.
The children are thoroughly engaged throughout the inspiring musical experience.
Norman tells the captivated children how the musical sentence goes round and round and never develops in a ROUND, versus in a FUGUE. The children listen intently and count how many times they hear the musicians play the musical sentence in Bach’s Fugue in g minor.
Children relaxing during the performance of Brahm’s Cradle Song. Our performance was so effective that George fell asleep and the children had to wake him up.
Children of all ages are inspired and captivated by Euterpe’s music education performance programs.
Here are children from junior and middle public schools in Toronto all thoroughly engaged, all actively participated including by asking questions, dancing to the groove of various dance styles presented, such as Waltz, Tango, Ragtime; singing with the musicians, trying the instruments and much more. The children at each school asked when we would be returning to their schools.
Middle School, Toronto
Photos by Yuri Koller
Junior Public School, Toronto
Photos by Yuri Koller
Public School, Toronto
Photos by Yuri Koller
Euterpe’s HYBRID program
This program was adapted during COVID-19. When assemblies were allowed again in underserved schools, there were still limitations. Euterpe’s Hybrid program takes children on a beautiful musical journey exploring Classical, Jazz and many related diverse musical genres and styles. The performances are recorded and filmed LIVE. Euterpe’s Catherine Wilson, Norman Hathaway and George Koller presented this video at numerous underserved schools in Toronto during the pandemic. Often joining them was Alex Brown.
As at Euterpe’s live presentations, the children were inspired and captivated by Euterpe’s wonderful program.
They were thoroughly engaged, participated actively including by asking questions, dancing to the groove of various dance styles presented, such as Waltz, Tango, Ragtime; singing with the musicians, trying the instruments, and much more. The children at each school asked when we would be returning to their schools.
Children were so inspired by this musical experience that some of them reached out to the musicians pleading for the chance to play the instrument of their choice. Thanks to Euterpe’s partnership with Yamaha Canada Music Ltd., these children were given brand new Yamaha instruments and lessons at Toronto’s Community Music School at Jane and Finch.
Master bass player George enthralls young children, none of whom had ever seen a bass before. The children all wanted to try the bass.
