Watch the Video from The Toronto Star!

On September 28, the entire Grade 3 class at John English - and a few Grade 4 classmates - participated in the first session of a yearlong music program that will teach them to play and sing a repertoire of songs on the ukulele. We're pleased that Melanie Doane, a Juno award-winning singer, songwriter and musician, will instruct them using the same method that gave her and many other musicians an early start.

This is the perfect age to start playing an instrument. Children learn quickly which encourages them to keep at it. Ukulele skills such as ear training and note reading transfer well to other instruments, while playing together fosters discipline and teamwork.

Melanie Doane's Uke Can Do It program consists of 30 weekly sessions that will take students from 'zero to ukulele heroes'. An important part of the process is training teachers and parent volunteers to assist in the program. If you are musically inclined and can help on Tuesday afternoons, please contact Jane Klein at uturn@rogers.com.

Right now, with funding for only 45 students, the Grade 3 and split 3/4 classes have been chosen for the pilot program. SAC, the John English Parent Council, is generously covering the instructor's fee and we're very grateful to have received a Band-Aid grant from MusiCounts so we can purchase ukuleles and loan them to the students free of charge.

To add to the excitement, the senior film class from Etobicoke School of the Arts will follow the students on their musical journey as they work hard to prepare for the Spring Concert where everyone can hear what they've accomplished. Stay tuned!