Although summer music camps, both day camps and overnight camps were not able to operate in the summer of 2020, COVID-19 has not stopped the Minstrel Foundation’s work.

After Covid-19 cut short the school year in March, but left students with their instruments, The Hammer Band ran an online virtual summer music camp during July and August for approximately 200 youth. The Minstrel Foundation’s contribution of $10,000 covered approximately 75% of the cost of the program during July, including the cost of teachers, Zoom pro subscriptions and administration.

University Settlement used our funds remaining from the truncated school year and offered online Group Music & Dance classes free of charge to children and youth. We also supplied them with 50 ukuleles so students could learn to play from home.

Scholarships and bursaries were awarded to students from the Humber College Community Music School, University Settlement Music School and Reach Out Through Music for private lessons and at University Settlement Music School for university tuition. We also continued to pay the RCM exam fees for students from the Dixon Hall Music School and the University Settlement Music School.

The message? Music, art and dance are still helping us all to wile away the time until we can joyfully sing together again. The Minstrel Foundation is still here, still taking applications for programs, still supplying teachers and kids with the tools to learn, love, and reach for the stars.