An inspiring program that brings generations together in pursuit of a love of music recently concluded with hopes to return again next year.
Held over the winter months at the Midland Cultural Centre, the inter-generational drum and ukulele mentorship program proved to be a big hit, according to instructor Derek Gray.
"This unique inter-generational songwriting mentorship project, bringing together elders and young musicians, allowed us an opportunity to celebrate the joys of community music-making in an unforgettable program at the Midland Cultural Centre,” Gray tells MidlandToday.
“With music as our common ground, the participants showed incredible creativity and courage by performing the original songs that they collaboratively composed over the course of this four-week program.”
This year’s program traces its roots back to last year’s highly successful collaboration between Big Brothers Big Sisters North Simcoe (BBBSNS) and the MCC.
This year’s offering expanded its scope to incorporate an inter-generational aspect with Askennonia Senior Centre members joining in on the fun workshops led by Gray, an award-winning musician and teacher.
“Askennonia has been delivering inter-generational programs for many years, sometimes with elementary students as reading coaches, but usually with high school students in tech support, social studies or history programs,” Askennonia executive director Judy Contin explains.
“All parties are always surprised by how much they enjoy each other. This is our first time to participate in this ukulele program and I know that many will come away having learned valuable lessons and feeling rewarded by the experience.”
Gray, meanwhile, says that the new inter-generational program reminded him of lyrics that Harriette Hamilton set to Oscar Peterson’s Hymn to Freedom: ‘When every hand joins every hand and together moulds our destiny, that’s when we’ll be free.’
Adds Gray: “Of course, the biggest thanks go to the entire team at the MCC, Ontario Presents: ArtsEngage and (funding sponsor) Canadian Heritage, without whom none of this would be possible.”
Over the course of the four-week program, participants worked collaboratively to compose, rehearse and perform their own original production on the MCC stage.
BBBSNS mentoring coordinator LeeAnne Addley says she was excited when MCC executive director Dan Broome reached out to her organization about bringing the program back.
“Last year's program was truly amazing, but to add a whole new element by inviting members from the Askennonia Senior Centre to join in, just makes sense,” Addley says.
“Inter-generational mentoring has so many valuable pieces, and knowing the benefits it will have brings so much joy and excitement. These are truly memories that will last a lifetime.”
Adds Broome: “I am thankful that we have been able to partner with BBBSNS and Askennonia, whose main focus is to make the community a better place for the people they serve.
“If we are able to support their missions and deliver arts and culture programming to those who may not have access to it, then we’re all better for it.”
