Yukon Schools Receive $45K Grant to Enhance Music Programs

Three schools in Yukon have been awarded funding from MusiCounts to enhance and sustain their music programs. The charity, affiliated with the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, has allocated approximately $45,000 to support students in Whitehorse and Watson Lake. The recipients include F.H. Collins Secondary School, Whistle Bend Elementary School, and Johnson Elementary School, which will now have improved access to musical instruments and equipment.

At F.H. Collins Secondary School, music teacher Alexander James expressed enthusiasm about the benefits this grant will bring. The funding will allow the school to acquire new instruments such as clarinets, flutes, saxophones, and baritones, essential for supporting the school’s expanding band program. This addition is expected to significantly enrich the musical education available to students.

Meanwhile, Meg Henderson, a music teacher at Whistle Bend Elementary School, shared her excitement about the grant’s impact on her students. The funding will enable her to purchase high-quality xylophones, djembe drums, headset microphones, and a new soundboard for children from kindergarten to Grade 7, thereby enhancing their musical experience.

The grant has particular significance for Johnson Elementary School in Watson Lake, where music programming will be introduced for the first time. According to Kristy Fletcher, president of MusiCounts, the school will receive ukuleles and drums, providing students with a valuable opportunity to engage in music education. “Our goal is to make music education accessible, sustainable, and inclusive for young kids across the country,” Fletcher stated.

Upcoming Performances and Community Engagement

F.H. Collins Secondary School and Whistle Bend Elementary School are planning musical performances later this winter. Students from F.H. Collins will present a production at the Yukon Arts Centre in Whitehorse on December 15. In addition, Henderson is in the process of finalizing details for a musical inspired by a popular movie, which promises to engage the student body and community alike.

The grant will also help alleviate the financial burden of instrument repairs for F.H. Collins Secondary School. James noted that the school recently incurred approximately $2,000 in shipping costs to send damaged instruments for repairs. He emphasized the importance of acquiring high-quality tools to fix instruments locally in Whitehorse, allowing them to return to circulation more quickly.

Both schools collaborate on a joint Grade 8 band for a non-profit organization known as the All-City Band, which hosts an annual series of live wind ensemble and jazz concerts across Whitehorse and other communities in Yukon. Recently, students participated in the Arts in the Park music festival held at LePage Park in Whitehorse.

Instrument Acquisition and Local Support

The three schools will submit a list of required musical instruments and equipment to MusiCounts, which will source them through local businesses. Fletcher explained the logistics of this process, stating, “What happens is they work with a local distributor, and then we work to get their instruments to them as quickly as we can. In some communities, that takes a little longer due to geographical barriers.”

She emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting local economies by encouraging schools to utilize local suppliers for instrument repairs. This approach not only fosters community engagement but also ensures that funding remains within the community, benefiting local businesses.

The funding from MusiCounts marks a significant step forward for music education in Yukon, enabling schools to provide students with essential resources and opportunities to explore their musical talents. With enhanced programs and new instruments, these schools are poised to cultivate a vibrant musical culture that will resonate throughout the community for years to come.