December 5th, 2019
The sound of stringed instruments being tuned bounces through the hallways at MacGregor Public School in Waterloo – it’s the sound of students beginning what may be their lifelong journey with music. This is a typical day in Tina Giannopoulos’ classroom at the senior elementary school as her students learn to bring music into their lives.
The strings program has been in existence at MacGregor for more than 30 years, offering countless numbers of students the opportunity to expand their skillset and learn to play an instrument. Giannopoulos explained that, although the program aims to teach students to play a stringed instrument, it goes beyond that, touching on musical theory, history, and even technology as students use Micro:bits, a tiny programmable computer, to write music.
Listening, observational skills, and teamwork are all crafted and honed as a result of the time students spend learning in strings.
“There are so many skills that are transferable to other subjects,” said Giannopoulos. “Music is a language.”
For many students, this class is the first opportunity they’ve had to learn to read music and play an instrument. In two years, with one class a week, Giannopoulos is able to take her students from getting to know their instrument, to reading music from a staff and playing everything from a simple folk song, to popular movie music.
She knows that for many of her students, this strong foundational knowledge of music is vital as they look to pursue playing other instruments in secondary school, including extracurricular opportunities such as band, or orchestra.
Offering this opportunity for students wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Waterloo Educational Foundation Inc. (WEFI), as it helps to offset some of the increased costs associated with the program. With individual instruments being shared by a number of students, repairs are not uncommon, and although they have a modest repair budget to help cover these costs, it’s not always enough.
“Those donations help us buy new bows and new cases,” said Giannopoulos.
With individual bows costing roughly $80.00, and around 200 instruments in total, the cost of keeping instruments in student’s hands can be expensive. Without WEFI, she explained it would be a lot more difficult to ensure instruments stay in rotation and available for students, many of whom take the instruments home to practice.
“We would have a lot more students sharing instruments,” said Giannopoulos.
Donations to WEFI in support of the MacGregor strings program come from a wide variety of sources in the community – everyone from families of students to local musicians. So far this year, more than $1500 has been donated to support the strings program. For Giannopoulos, this demonstrates the broad support the program has in the community and shows that the public sees value in what the strings program offers to WRDSB students.
“It’s really nice to have that support and know that people value the program,” said Giannopoulos. “I think it just inspires all of us to keep doing what we’re doing.”
The students, too, appreciate the support their program receives through WEFI. Rachael, a grade 7 student at MacGregor, understands the value of having the opportunity to learn an instrument and explained what she would say to a donor if she had the chance.
“It’s important for kids to be able to play music,” said Rachael. “Thank you for giving us the opportunity to play.”
The bass is Rachael’s instrument of choice, following in her sister’s footsteps, as she played the instrument two years prior. Rachael, who is planning on taking band when she attends secondary school, reflected on how far she has come in her time in Giannopoulos’ class. “We started not knowing anything,” she said, but is now honing her ability to hold the bow and pluck the strings.
She’s not alone – Sophia, a grade 8 student, has seen her own skills progress significantly during her time in strings.
“When I came in I knew nothing about strings,” said Sophia. “Now I can play ‘Ode to Joy’ which is a big step for me.”
To Rihana, a grade 8 student, knowing that support for the program comes from members of the community also helps to reinforce respect for the instruments themselves, and an understanding of the importance of caring for them.
“This is a really great opportunity to learn an instrument that I’ve never played before and never thought I’d learn,” said Rihana. “We’re really fortunate to have it.”
Giannopoulos understands exactly how formative the opportunity to learn a new instrument at this age can be. She began her path with violin and stringed instruments in the same way these students are.
“I started in grade 7, just like these students,” said Giannopoulos. “I quickly fell in love with the violin and it changed my life.”
For her, the opportunity to learn to play the violin was pivotal. As a shy student, she elected the option of strings, rather than vocal music class, where she would have to sing in front of her peers. However, unknowingly, she had discovered her passion and opened up an entire world of new possibilities for herself and her career. Giannopoulos sees this happen with some of her students who light up when they first pick up their violin.
“You do see some students where it’s like a spark for them, and they begin to practice all the time and they keep going,” she said. “I’m invested in it because I started that way. It made a difference for me.”
To the donors that have made this program possible, and those who are considering donating, Giannopoulos hoped to express the scope of the opportunity for students they are making possible. Each of these students is benefitting from the generosity of donors, who are enhancing their learning and ensuring they have the tools necessary to discover their potential and spark their passion.
“Many of these students would never have a chance to play any type of instrument,” said Giannopoulos. “It can change a lot of things for students to give them that opportunity.”
About the Waterloo Education Foundation Inc. (WEFI)
The Waterloo Education Foundation Inc. (WEFI) is a registered charitable foundation, which operates through the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and is managed by a Board of Directors.
Together, the WRDSB and WEFI have had a long-term commitment to providing assistance for students in need, and an equally strong dedication to innovative programs that improve the learning environment for young people. In conjunction with our community partners, WEFI uses its resources to contribute to an environment for learning in which students can be successful.
The Foundation is pleased to accept donations from individuals, corporations and organizations wishing to support a strong public education system in Waterloo Region.
All proceeds benefit students of Waterloo Region in numerous programs at schools in the WRDSB, including:
- school nutrition programs
- multi-lingual and multi-cultural resources for English Language Learners
- support for the less advantaged students with gym uniforms and school supplies
- opportunities to partake in off-campus excursions and field trips, and
anti-bullying programs and character development through promotion of community values
Categories: Principal's Message