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  OutreachIn keeping with The Royal Conservatory School’s vision that music should be accessible to all, the Outreach Department works with community organizations to reduce economic, social, and geographic barriers to music education, carry out critical research, and create music-making opportunities in diverse community settings. Each year, the school provides more than 150 children, youth, and seniors with access to free music programs. "I feel that there are not many activities for young people like me in this neighbourhood and we get bored. When I heard about the free DJ program, I thought wow! That's something really cool!" "When I come to the program every week, I walk out with a renewed spirit." "My daughter enjoys the music class enormously. Now, she plays more easily with other children, is learning new songs and is talking more and more in English. These skills will be helpful when she starts school" Scholarships and BursariesFinancial assistance is available to students who would like to study at The Royal Conservatory School. Current ProjectsSound Connections (formerly a Bridge to Toronto’s Communities) is a three-year outreach project focused on youth living in Malvern and Jamestown. Free group music classes encourage students to develop their potential while exploring classical, world, and urban music. Ultimately, the program aims to develop sustainable youth-led music centres in Toronto's economically-disadvantaged neighborhoods and foster the creation of groundbreaking music. Created in 2004 with support from The Department of Canadian Heritage, Sound Connections is now supported by Youth Challenge Fund, The Baystock Foundation, The Laidlaw Foundation, the RBC Foundation, and private donors. Building Seniors’ Communities Through Music reduces the risk of social isolation faced by ESL and economically-disadvantaged seniors, and encourages them to contribute their voices in support of social well-being in their communities. This one-year project touches seniors ages 55+ living in the Regent Park and Davenport-Perth neighborhoods. Initial funding was provided by Human Resources & Social Development Canada (HRSDC), a federal government agency, and is currently funded by The RCM through donations. Free children’s music classes are offered at the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre in St. Jamestown as part of their Growing Together Program for 3-5 year olds. Growing Together is a prevention and early intervention program that focuses on parenting, health, and child development. The Royal Conservatory provides free early childhood music classes, providing participants with a wide variety of musical experiences through activities that explore basic elements of music such as rhythm, melody, dynamics, and tempo. To find out more about outreach programs, please contact Gina Chang at gina.chang@rcmusic.ca. |
