Marching in masks. Submitted photo.

– Images and articles submitted by Sheila Whincup (AGM update and Bottle Drive info below!)

The cooler weather has also brought back the excitement of autumn classes!  Harmony Project Sooke (HPS) has resumed both its Drumline program (marching band-style drumming) and Strings program (violin, viola, cello).

Students have a choice of in-person group classes, on-line individual lessons, or a combination of both.

Modelled after the Harmony Project in L.A., Harmony Project Sooke is a registered non-profit society that provides musical instruments and instruction to children and youth in the Sooke area.

Drumline

Drumline group class takes place on Tuesdays 4-7 pm at Journey Middle School (outdoors and/or in the gym). Teachers Chris Rivollier and Alex Mold report that “this term we are focusing on performances and engaging the community in Harmony Project Drumline, getting our students out there doing as much as possible!”

Drumline in masks with teacher Chris Rivollier

New students in grades six and up are invited to join. “Although we have a ‘senior line’, the lessons portion during the first hour of class is intended for students to learn the fundamentals of reading and technique to be able to transition into the full ensemble without feeling overwhelmed,” explain the teachers.

Strings Program

Strings classes are for students in grades two and up, and also meet on Tuesday afternoons:

• Level 1 at Holy Trinity Church 3:30-4:20 pm
• Level 2 at Holy Trinity Church 4:30-5:20 pm
• Level 3 at Journey Middle School 5-7 pm

Teacher Maria Wang is pleased to report that almost all the students from the spring term have returned. They are extremely excited to be making music together again.

Individual lessons are 30 minutes long and are designed according to the student’s needs. “They often enjoy learning pieces from the group classes and also solo songs from Suzuki”, said Wang. “They truly progress a lot from the lesson to build their technique and to tackle their weaknesses.”

Teachers and students are all practicing Covid-19 safety protocols (e.g. enter and exit using specified doors, wear masks, and accommodate “transition cleaning” between groups).

For more information or to register, please contact Executive Director, Lorna Bjorklund at

sookeharmonyproject@shaw.ca or 250-642-6681

AGM 2020

The fall also saw the HPS AGM take place on Sept 23rd.  A review of last year’s activities, illustrated by a slide show, plus plans for the coming year were presented. Special guest was Darlene Shelton who had donated a generous grant to HPS through the Victoria Foundation.

Board members elected are:

• Terry Cristall, President
• Victoria Bailey, Secretary
• Richard Sharman, Treasurer
• Jenny Nelson, Director
• Sheila Whincup, Director

Bottle Drive! – Sat  Oct 24  9am-1pm

As always, the board, teachers and supporters of HPS will be busy raising funds to sustain music education programs that are so important for enriching young lives: brain development, social skills, academic performance.

The next fundraising event will be a Bottle Drive on Sat Oct 24th 9am-1pm.  Please save your empties and bring them to the Seaparc sign at the corner of Sooke and Phillips Roads…while on your way to vote!

HPS acknowledges the critical financial support it has received from major sponsors such as the District of Sooke, Victoria Foundation, MusiCounts and TD Bank, and Telus. The Society is also extremely grateful for generous donations and in-kind support from many local individuals and businesses.

For more info and to find out how to support HPS, please visit: www.harmonyprojectsooke.ca