More than a dozen elementary school students strummed ukuleles to Vance Joy’s Riptide in appreciation of the funding program that gave them the musical instruments.
On Monday, Tbaytel showcased progress updates from four community projects that have received funding through the Tbaytel for Good initiative since 2013.
Four years ago Ecole Gron Morgan received $2,000 in funding to purchase ukuleles and glockenspiels for its musical program as a Tbaytel for Good semi-finalist.
Music teacher Janet Fuchek said the instruments have provided students with an opportunity to learn hands-on how to play, perform and compose songs.
“The students are reaping the benefits as they have become more engaged in the program with such an authentic hands-on experience,” Fuchek said.
Prior to the program funding, the music program was limited to theoretical teachings, singing and dancing rather than focusing on specifically on instruments.
With the funding, the students get to learn and integrate their knowledge more by physically playing an instrument.
“Students respond to hands-on experiences, they are used to gadgets and it’s more challenging perhaps to engage them in classroom learning unless it’s very dynamic,” she said.
“I think that having glockenspiels and ukuleles has made the program more dynamic and has really given them a purpose for music.”
Fuchek said the funding has provided all the students with an even playing field where they all have the opportunity to play an instrument.
Tbaytel president and CEO Dan Topatigh said it’s fascinating to see the funding translate positively into the community.
“Providing the financial support is sometimes the easy part,” Topatigh said. “Making sure the organizations we give funding to follow up with those dollars to make the most impact is the most important part.”
Topatigh believes that those 30 organizations who have benefitted from financial funding through the program have been successful in positively impacting society.
The program will be continuing again for another year, details will be announced later this summer.
