A $500,000 Upper Canada District School Board investment in music education is paying off in schools across Eastern Ontario — with one of the largest impacts seen at Chimo Elementary School in Smiths Falls.
Chimo used its funding to expand its growing music program, purchasing new guitars, ukuleles, recorders, and other instruments. The school also launched its first-ever musical production, Beauty and the Beast, involving more than 50 students in Grades 3 through 8. Chimo continues to build a strong extracurricular music culture, with recorder and guitar ensemble clubs preparing for upcoming performances.
Other schools also strengthened their programs with the funding.
Swift Waters Elementary in Brockville repaired its fleet of 80 instruments and added new ukuleles, band instruments, and percussion.
South Branch Elementary in Kemptville upgraded audio equipment and expanded its percussion collection.
Maynard Public School in Prescott added new rhythm and percussion instruments and improved its gym sound system.
The UCDSB’s investment provided schools with $2,000 to $19,000 each to repair instruments, buy new equipment, and support music classes, choirs, clubs, musicals and stage productions.
