The many benefits of music

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This article was published 14/05/2015 (4105 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Students at King Edward and Elwick schools are now in tune with more than just their musical education.

Launched in 2011, Sistema Winnipeg is a partnership between the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Seven Oaks School Division and Winnipeg School Division.

The free, intensive, after-school music program is offered at Elwick and King Edward, where approximately 100 children are learning to play violin, viola, cello and double bass.

Based on the El Sistema model from Venezuela, Sistema Winnipeg sees the students participating in the program for three hours a day, five days a week, with instruction from dedicated Sistema teachers, as well as WSO musicians.

This year, Sistema is open to students in Grades 1 to 6. The plan is the program will grow along with the kids, following them into junior high and high school.

The program’s impact goes beyond just music. An ongoing study of Sistema by Dr. Francine Morin, department head of curriculum, teaching and learning in the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Education, has identified a number of positive effects.

“What they’re finding is the kids’ grades are improving at a high rate, their social skills have greatly improved, and also their confidence and self-esteem,” said Sistema teacher Kari Chastko.

“Family dynamics have also improved. Families are becoming more involved in the life of the school. They’re volunteering and they’re more engaged in their kids’ education.”

Sistema students get to show off their skills. The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra presents Changing Lives Through Music on May 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Judy Silver Commons in Maples Collegiate.

The concert, in support of Sistema Winnipeg, will feature musical performances by the Sistema students, alongside the WSO. The show is hosted by CBC Radio’s Ismaila Alfa and features such special guests  as Anna Lisa Kirby and Ali Fontaine.

In addition to having access to world-class musicians at the WSO, Sistema students are able to learn from each other. They hone their musical chops in a group setting rather than in traditional one-on-one music lessons.

“General music programs have a lot to learn from this program,” said WSO executive director Trudy Schroeder.

“This business of practising in isolation and not realizing music as a wonderful social gathering point is really quite a loss.”

Ria Rueda, a Grade 1 student at King Edward, is in her first year of Sistema, part of the early years Vivaldi Orchestra. She said learning to play the violin is helping her with her school work and her social interactions.

“It helps me read because if I can read music notes then I can read words,” said Rueda, whose favourite piece is Beethoven’s Ode to Joy.

“It helps me with my friends. ‘Here, I’ll teach you how to do some rhythms.’ The music of Sistema has been helping me help my friends.”

Tickets for Changing Lives Through Music are $20 and are available at www.wso.ca/changinglives or by calling 204-949-3999. All proceeds go to Sistema Winnipeg.