Spring & Summer 2021
The Minstrel Foundation sent 25 kids to the National Music Camp in Orillia which opened as an overnight camp following all government guidelines for camp operations during Covid. This year the camp was held from August 22nd to August 29th with both Junior and Senior Divisions taking place simultaneously.
We also sponsored for its inaugural year the St. James Town Summer Arts Camp. It featured fun-filled days of music, drama, dance and visual arts taught by professional artists to 24 children 7 to 14 years of age, following full Covid protocols.
The Dixon Hall Music School sent 8 students to a virtual spring break camp run by the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) from April 12th to 16th and sent 5 students to the RCM summer break virtual camps during July and August. In addition the Minstrel Foundation paid for RCM exams from Levels 2 to 8 for 8 Dixon Hall Music School students and an accompanist.
We once again supported the Hammer Band Summer Jam, a virtual musical experience through interactive games, fun activities, lessons, practice challenges and on-line concerts. Roughly 275 students participated over 12 weeks from June to August. Our funding assisted with the cost of teacher wages and administration.
Fall and Winter 2021-2022
The Minstrel Foundation is funding the St. James Town Children’s Choir from Sept. 2021 to June 2022. The program will be operating virtually from September to December at the very least and most likely until March break. The program cost includes online rehearsals, virtual choir videos and accompaniments.
Dixon Hall Music School began in-person classes in September for fully vaccinated students over 12 years with appropriate health protocols. We are hopeful that in-person spring and summer camps will once again be offered in 2022.
University Settlement Music School started in person lessons and some in person group classes again in September 2021 with increased health and safety measures in place to keep students and teachers safe. After starting with a proof of vaccination requirement, it was decided that proof of vaccination would not be required for music students other than those taking lessons where masking was not possible such as voice, woodwind and brass. About half the students are under 12 and those above twelve often forgot their vaccine passports. The revised policy which meets provincial guidelines has the full support of teachers and staff, all of whom have to be vaccinated.