Recently Sooke Journey middle school student Maya Wood (11 years old, in grade 7) started a petition to gather support for a part-time strings/violin music teacher for her school. In a short, four-day campaign, Maya — with a little help — collected 152 signatures from Sooke residents. This petition, along with letters written by other Journey students and supporters, will be sent to the SD62 Superintendent Jim Cambridge and the school Trustees requesting funding for a part-time (0.2) strings/violin music teacher for Journey middle school.
In their letters requesting support for their music program, student’s were articulate and passionate.
“I love and take pride in playing the violin. I am really happy and thankful we have a string program,” wrote one.
Another wrote, “Please support the string section at Journey, we need all the instruments, not just some of theme. We also need a teacher!”
A third one echoed the request for a teacher, “Other kids still want to try out in strings class but many not get the chance to even try it out if we don’t have a strings teacher.”
Last year Journey’s Grade 6 and 7 string ensembles took part in the Vancouver Island Concert Band Festival held in Port Alberni under the fine tutelage of volunteer Anne McDougall and both Grade 6 and Grade 7 strings were adjudicated with a Superior Plus grade for their wonderful performances.
Every Journey middle school string student that took part in that festival was a proud ambassador for Sooke. They took pride in their achievement and were focussed, disciplined and enthusiastic and that is a fantastic educational experience that is worthy of our support!
Many of the Grade 6 students had never played an instrument before and this excellent grade was a testament to how hard they had worked both individually and collectively as a team. These students to not have a strings music teacher as yet, and without a teacher they will not be able to continue playing and learning strings together. They need a part-time teacher!
Submitted by Deb Wood