Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach
Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project
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“The success in this project lies in seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces, and seeing how proud they feel, singing and doing so well.” - Sarah McLachlan
The Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project, a free music outreach program to children and youth in Vancouver’s inner city, offers students high quality music instruction in guitar, piano, percussion and choir. The program also provides a support network for inner city youth that will enable them to develop a life-long
love of music and enthusiasm for learning.
This outreach program is guided by the vision of founding partner, international singer/songwriter, Sarah McLachlan, and offers both group and individual music training with a foundation in classical practices and techniques. This past year, 350 students participated in this innovative program.
The curriculum is grounded in eight core values that include professionally taught classes, access to instruments, rich musical opportunities and family partnerships. The best possible instructors have been hired to offer group and individual lessons, and students will be encouraged to perform and become more involved within the music community. The curriculum also allows for students to advance through their studies and to enter into gifted streams. Most importantly, the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach is meant to be a nurturing environment where young people can explore their creative potential and develop positive peer connections that will inspire them to succeed in life.
The Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project is open six days a week. Seven practice rooms, each with a keyboard, provides students with a safe place to practice and explore their newfound skills, and a music listening room, and library of CDs allow students to gain familiarity with different styles and build their music appreciation skills. Year-end and community performances provide students with experiences that develop their musical skills, foster pride and allow them to reach out to the community.
In 2003 Student Leadership Awards were introduced, recognizing the achievements of six students participating in the program. Student Achievement Awards are an important element in creating a culture of excellence in this program, providing an incentive for students to improve their skills and to try their best. Entering its third year, the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project is making a profound difference in the lives of children: inspiring confidence and self-esteem, and fostering creativity in young people through the power of music.
Instructors:
Gordon Cobb
Gordon lives in East Vancouver. He studied music at the School for the Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University, and the London College of Music and Media in England, graduating with distinction from the Masters of Music program in Composition for New Media. His work has been performed at Dancing on the Edge, XII Minutes Max, Latenight Kiss, Edam, Main Dance, Mascall Dance, Performance Works, Arts Umbrella, and the Shadbolt Center for the Arts. Gordon has been a Registered Music Teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Toronto for almost a decade, developing a strong private practice.
Valerie Jackson
Born in South Africa, Valerie grew up in East Vancouver and New Westminster. Since obtaining degrees at the University of Victoria (B. Mus., perf.) and McGill University (M.A. Musicology), she has been an active performer and teacher. Valerie has studied many styles of guitar in many diverse cultural settings (including Spain and Holland, with Balatazar Benitez) and has always maintained a passion for sharing the world’s music with young people. Her trio “Mundo Bello” has performed their unique repertoire for young audiences since 1999.
Paul Bray
Paul Bray is a multi-talented percussionist working as a music educator and performer in Vancouver. Drawing on a strong classical background, Paul has devoted his attention to the study of African influenced music, specializing in Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian musical styles. He has collaborated with Afro-Bahia Dance Productions and Yassee Afro-Arts in addition to working as a studio musician and directing Sambata, Vancouver’s Escola de Samba. Paul has led educational workshops for groups of all ages and musical experience and enjoys sharing his knowledge and love of rhythm.
Stephen Fisk
Since his apprenticeship in the Canadian jazz scene of the late 1980’s Stephen has carved out a unique musical niche for himself. His performances and recordings with Troika, Freeplay, the Chris Tarry Group and Flo, among other work, have garnered him critical acclaim across North America. Fisk’s creative dedication has brought him the opportunities to work and perform with internationally renowned musicians such as George Russell, George Lewis, Julian Priester and Robin Holcombe. He has recorded numerous CD’s including ‘Flo’ released in 2003 on Plunge Records. Stephen’s eclectic composing and improvising skills exhibit a personalized musical language, an amalgam of styles, vocabularies and genres. His oeuvre is a collection of jazz pieces, free improvisations, ambient soundscapes, classical forms and pop songs. He has performed at every major Canadian jazz festival and his music has been broadcast from coast to coast on CBC Radio. Fisk holds degrees in Arts and Music Composition as well as a Masters degree in Jazz Performance from New England Conservatory in Boston. He has studied privately with Jim Hall, Paul Bley, George Russell, Danilo Perez, Ran Blake, and Mick Goodrick. A sought after teacher and clinician, Stephen has been teaching students of all ages and ability since 1985. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards, grants and honors for his work in music.
Andy Hillhouse
Andy Hillhouse has been working as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, teacher and choral musician since graduating from UBC with a BMus and a BEd in 1991. He is best known as the leader of the Canadian Celtic Funk band Mad Pudding, who are currently recording their fifth CD. With Mad Pudding, Andy has performed frequently in North America and Europe, including appearances at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Shetland Folk Festival and Cape Breton’s Celtic Colours Festival. He is also a member of the Juno nominated vocal ensemble Musica Intima, who have released four critically acclaimed CD’s, and is former director of the Universal Gospel Choir. Andy is currently pursuing an MA in Ethnomusicology at UBC, where he will be researching British Isles traditional music.
Daniel Sakari Mahlberg
Daniel began his musical training with the Royal Conservatory of Music at the age of four. He has earned Associate and Licentiate degrees in piano pedagogy from the
London College of Music and Media, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music from Simon Fraser University’s School for the Contemporary Arts. Having spent two years of his childhood in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Daniel developed a taste for travel at a young age. He has since secured scholarships for international study at England’s University of Sussex, where he studied composition and music theory, and Germany’s Internationales Musikinstitut Darmstadt, where his work was premiered as part of the celebrated Summer Course for New Music, an arena for avant-garde composers and performers. Daniel has been teaching piano since 1995. In addition to his membership with the Registered Music Teachers’ Association, he serves on the council of the National Professional Music Teachers’ Association and assists in coordinating frequent recitals for Richmond Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit. He is currently completing a Master of Arts degree through California State University, focusing on the link between piano music and education.
Colleen Maybin
Colleen holds a degree in music performance as a clarinet major from the Universityof Victoria. Although classically trained, Colleen’s musical diversity and interests has led her to artistic experiences such as the Banff School of Fine Arts, the 15th Field Royal Canadian Artillary Band and various small ensembles. Her love of singing and children’s choirs led her to study with world renowned conductors Bruce Pullen (Vancouver Bach Choir) and Diane Loomer (Chor Leoni Men’s Chorus). After completing her Masters at the University of British Columbia, focusing on music pedagogy for children, Colleen moved to London, England where she shared her teaching skills and love of music with elementary school children. Colleen now sings with the Vancouver Bach Choir, teaches for the Vancouver School Board and is a Sessional Instructor in the Music Education Department of the University of British Columbia.
Public
The Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach Youth Choir was invited to perform for an audience of 600 at the Orcas in the City Gala Auction. This charitable event raised $400,000 in support of the BC Lions Society’s Easter Seals Operations and the Canucks For Kids Fund.
The Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach Youth Choir performed for an enthusiastic crowd at the Fillmore Family Foundation’s Fowl Supper at the Roundhouse Community Centre. This is an annual event that raises money for A Loving Spoonful and the Dr. Peter Foundation.
FAQ’S
What is the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project?
The Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project is a free after-school music program that offers high quality music education for inner city students. It is guided by the vision of founding partner, international singer/songwriter, Sarah McLachlan, and offers both group and individual music training with a foundation in classical practices and techniques.
What courses of study are offered?
Guitar, Piano, World Beat Percussion, Choir (Youth Choir, Children Choir). Students who study Guitar, Piano or Percussion receive a one-hour group class per week and two 1/2-hour private lessons per month. Students who participate in the choral program receive a 11/2-hour rehearsal per week. As part of the program students have access to instruments, sheet music and practice rooms at no cost.
How can I apply?
Students who attend Mount Pleasant Elementary, Florence Nightingale Elementary, Queen Alexandra Elementary, Britannia Secondary, Sir Charles Tupper Secondary and Vancouver Technical Secondary are invited to apply. No previous music experience is required. As part of the application process, students will be interviewed by an instructor, and will be required to write a short paragraph outlining why they want to study music.
Are there age requirements?
Students in Grades 4 through 12 are invited to apply.
How much are fees?
This program is free of charge. Students, once accepted, are required to pay a commitment deposit of $20 per term, for a total of three terms. The commitment deposit is refunded in full at the end of each term, to those students who have two absences or less per term.
How many students are involved in the program?
There are 200 students enrolled in the 2004/05-program year.
Are your instructors qualified?
Classes are taught by professional musicians/educators. In addition special guests from the professional music industry are invited to lead workshops and special projects. Class sizes are small to ensure the maximum contact between instructor and student.
Do students perform?
In addition to scheduled classes, students have the opportunity to participate in performances at the school and in the community.
When are the program dates?
The Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach runs September to June for a total of 32 weeks of instruction.
Where is the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project located?
The Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach is situated in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant community. The facility includes two large studios, seven practice rooms and one listening room.
Does the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project have other locations?
At this time, the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project has one location in east Vancouver.
What are the hours of operation?
The Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project is open:
Monday to Friday: 3:00pm to 7:00pm,
Saturday: 10:00am to 5:00pm,
Sundays and Holidays: Closed
How is the organization funded?
The Sarah McLachlan Foundation is the lead sponsor of the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project. Corporate and individual cash donations and in-kind donations of building space, equipment, instruments and sheet music have also made this program possible.
