SCHOOL OF MUSIC MONTREAL
CONCEPT
The 2020/2021 school year is our sixth year of lessons!
PROGRAM
Our program consists of fun and engaging weekly private and group music lessons. During after-school hours, SoMM’s mentors and volunteers provide a productive and safe space for students. Our goal is to help children develop their musical skills in a fun and supportive environment.
ADMISSIONS
To be admitted to our program, students are recommended and referred to us by academic school teachers in the community. We accept students based on their need and their interest in increasing their musical education. Through participation in introductory workshops at the elementary schools, we can also gauge and admit students based on their interest.
FUNDING
Our main source of funding is through donations, which allow SoMM to provide all programming free of charge for students. We fund our program through concerts, public donations, crowdfunding campaigns (check us out on kickstarter!) and sponsorships. SoMM also receives additional financial support from the Student’s Society of McGill University (SSMU).
OUR MISSION
Empowering
Youth
Through
Music
The School of Music Montreal (SoMM)’s mission is to promote music education equality to underserved youth. Our programs benefit local youth by providing a safe and supporting environment as well as facilitating personal growth potential through musical avenues.
Underserved can be defined as being affected by financial, academic, or personal circumstances that may hinder a student from receiving an equal opportunity for musical education. We strive to empower our students through music by introducing them to musical technique, exploring music through workshops, providing individual lessons and group classes, and supporting community programs which share our passion for music and education. At SoMM, we believe that every child should have access to quality music education and we want to provide every student with a chance to learn music for free. We want to give them an opportunity to recognize and utilize alternative sources for learning to take control of their own education. We not only strive to kickstart their musical development, we also aim to foster an environment in which each and every SoMM student can grow emotionally and individually.
Our Teams
The people making everything possible
SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY
GIANT STEPS MONTREAL
Giant Steps is an autism specific school where we engage a small group of students for weekly lessons. We believe music has the capacity to reach everyone and have connected with this school to offer specific programs. Here, we teach piano and voice lessons from a small team of specially trained volunteer teachers.
VERDUN ELEMENTARY
Part of the Lester B. Pearson School Board, Verdun Elementary is the first school for which our pilot program was tested. Here, our volunteers teach a variety of instruments – such as piano, guitar and voice – to children ages 9-12, either in one-on-one or group lessons. We are now in our 6th year of weekly lessons at this school!
RIVERVIEW ELEMENTARY
Also part of the Lester B. Pearson School Board, Riverview Elementary is our second school that we volunteer at. We teach children ages 8-12 here. Riverview Elementary is now in its 5th year of full weekly programs!
MCGILL UNIVERSITY
McGill University is where our original volunteer team is based. Our members come from all different faculties, but all represent the mission and values of the School of Music Montreal. We are currently expanding to new bases. Contact us if you are interested in helping start a new SoMM chapter!
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
Our newest chapter begins at Concordia University. As the first expansion of SoMM, we hope to share the joy of music further. There are new volunteers, new schools, and a new team to make sure children in the Montreal community have equal access to free music education!
NEWS
- Valentine’s day musical grams by SoMM
A quick summary of how our valentines day musical grams were such a success! - Update!
A quick update written by our HR team discussing SoMM’s transition to online teaching and future plans ahead. - SoMM Received the Iris Unger Recognition Award!
SoMM was awarded the Iris Unger Recognition Award by YES Montreal. Click to find out more about the award and our founder, Chris Ma!
OUR SPONSORS
WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU
Help us spread the joy of music! We’ll get back to you as soon as we can!