'Sparking joy': Kelowna students making music thanks to charity's grant

Music is an experience that brings people of all walks of life together in union to explore belonging, inclusivity and community. This is what students and staff at Ecole Glenmore Elementary school are celebrating after getting a $5,000 grant from MusiCounts https://musicounts.ca/en/ , a charity that provides musical instruments in an effort to make  music education inclusive, sustainable and accessible for youth across Canada. The school bought 24 drums the more than 600 students from kindergarten to grade six can now use to learn about the foundations of music. Children can explore their individuality in a safe place, leaving any insecurities and intimidations at the door.  “Music is about sparking joy. We all come into this world with a beat in our hearts. We’re all music makers and somewhere along the way as we get to adulthood, we start to forget that," music teacher Angela Schjodt says. "My objective is to keep that belief going. Drums are such an accessible way of making music... you can connect with the rhythm of your heart.” READ MORE: Opportunity knocks as BC Greens look for centrist vote https://infotel.ca/newsitem/opportunity-knocks-as-bc-greens-look-for-centrist-vote/it106403 The red, orange, yellow and black drums vibrantly coloured and adding to a music room filled with fairy lights, vines and inspirational posters. “My goal is for everybody to feel successful with their own level of music. I want it to be a safe space, I want it to be a supportive space, I want it to be a joyful space," Schjodt says. "A lot of kids might struggle with academics, they might struggle with reading or numbers, but if they can come here and sing, move, play instruments and feel good, then that’s everything for me.”  Schjodt says music is important in a school environment that is so culturally and socially diverse. They have a mix of students from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. The experience they get shrinks that divide. READ MORE: Can Kelowna support a professional soccer team? The mayor thinks so https://infotel.ca/newsitem/can-kelowna-support-a-professional-soccer-team-the-mayor-thinks-so/it106398 Drum circles will now be making a regular appearance in the music room, filling it with bright energy and excited engagement from the students. The students are encouraged to use the new drums as a form of self expression and exploration. “They’re being supported in their individuality while also being a part of the group,” Schjodt says. The drums were tested out for the first time, Sept. 5, by grade six students who were over the moon about the new addition to their school’s music program and couldn’t wait to start playing the instruments. The smiles and laugher that filled the room as the kids started to play were a true testament of what an enriched music program can create in an educational environment. The music room also has an array of other musical instruments, including ukuleles, guitars, boomwhackers, bongos, bells and more.  Principal Brady Ibbetson stresses the importance of the school’s music program that was enhanced by the grant. “Music is such an important part of education, it’s one of the most important parts of school... integrating music into school and learning enhances student’s self awareness, emotional wellbeing and academic learning as well,” Ibbetson says. “We’re very fortunate, very lucky.” To contact a reporter for this story, email Bailey Zimmer mailto:bzimmer@infonews.ca  or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .