²Ýݮֱ²¥

Music teachers at Burnett, Blair and Thompson wondered what would happen if older musicians mentored younger musicians:

Prior to November we pondered how to buildÌýconnections between the high school and elementaryÌýfeeder schools to help students have a smooth(er)Ìýtransition from elementary to high school.Ìý We alsoÌýwondered why so few students were choosing toÌýcontinue in music courses between elementary andÌýsecondary.​

Elementary students are keen about the opportunityÌýand looked forward to each time that they got to meetÌýwith the Burnett students. They are eager to play andÌýwork with the older students.

Next Steps for this project:Ìý

• Having a retreatÌýthat bringsÌýtogetherÌýelementary and secondary andÌýbringsÌýinÌýspecialistsÌýon the instruments to helpÌýtheÌýstudents learn and workÌýtogether​

• Have concert dates to work towards in bothÌýsemesters.​

• Ensure there are ways for high school studentsÌýto get credit or volunteer hours forÌýmentoring.​

• Create opportunities for the groups (high schoolÌýand elementary) to visit and rehearse with eachÌýother.​

• Advocate for timetabling with theÌýadministrators to allow for mentorship, crossÌýgrade connections,Ìýand communityÌýbuilding​

• Have elementary itinerant/feeder bandÌýteachers have a chance to build relationshipsÌýwith their high schoolÌýcolleagues toÌýencourageÌýcoordinated efforts to timetableÌýelementary and secondary music programs toÌýallow for collaboration.