EMSB kicks off Ode to Joy - A Celebration of Music
On the eve of Kindergarten Registration Week, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) kicked off Ode to Joy – A Celebration of Music on Friday, January 10 at Rosemount High School.
Students from the Rosemount High Arts-études program were joined by students from four primary schools -Nesbitt in Rosemount, Gerald McShane in Montreal North and Willingdon and St. Monica in NDG- to perform and share how the magic of song is built into the curriculum from Kindergarten and onwards. A number of professional musicians were also on hand.
Almost two centuries have passed and Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” remains a symbol of hope, peace, and fellowship. It’s a masterful musical celebration that makes everyone who listens to it feel almost instantly imbued with a torrent of positive emotions. This is also a song that is familiar to most elementary and high school students at the ENSB, since they perform it with their music teachers. For the 2025 EMSB Kindergarten Registration Campaign in January our theme will be Ode to Joy – a Celebration of Music.
An education that includes music encourages students to engage actively, develop their appreciation for the arts and benefit in so many positive ways while at school.
Music fundamental to school life
By celebrating music in education this January and beyond, the EMSB is showcasing talents and programs in its schools, and joining together for a beautiful month of music.
In line with the Québec Education Program, EMSB schools offer an arts education through programs in the visual arts, drama, dance or music. Many have a music specialist and dedicated music room. But even schools without a music program still incorporate music in the everyday curriculum by integrating it in other arts subjects.
Nicolas Doyon, EMSB Arts education consultant and responsible for culture in school, believes there are many benefits to incorporating music in education. Not only does it stimulate the brain areas involved in reasoning and problem-solving, it also provides students an avenue to express their emotions, learn different languages, explore other cultures and traditions, and nurture the creative mind.
For the youngest learners, numbers and letters are often first taught through song. In French immersion schools, music plays a pivotal role in teaching French as a second language.
Nesbitt Elementary School in Rosemount, St. Monica Elementary School in NDG and Gardenview Elementary School in Saint-Laurent integrate components of the Orff music program into their teaching. This is an educational approach to music and movement developed by German composer Carl Orff in the 1920s, emphasizing active participation and encouraging children to explore music through playing instruments, singing, dancing and creating.
By high school, many students are equipped with basic music skills and can move on to more complex aspects of study and practise. Many EMSB schools offer an opportunity to be in a musical ensemble, wind band or choir, which fosters teamwork and cooperation. Some provide instruction in playing instruments or developing vocal techniques. These teach the value of practice, discipline and perseverance. Students can choose a high school that offers them a chance to join band or sing in a choir as a fun extra-curricular activity or chose a school specializing in music. All EMSB schools strive to expose learners to some form of music experience.
FACE (Fine Arts Core Education) School in downtown Montreal and Rosemount High School are EMSB schools that have a focus on music education. At FACE, music is one of the four arts studies. Here, students learn the musical foundations and get practical training on wind and string instruments and voice. At Rosemount, while music instruction has long been a staple, since 2023 it has had the Arts-études program (music specialization), which allows for music to be incorporated throughout the school day as credit courses, as opposed to an after-school extra-curricular.
In other schools, music is offered in various ways. Marymount Academy International in NDG, for example, has a steel pan band. James Lyng High School, in St. Henri, has a music program that focuses on Hip Hop and rock music. St. Gabriel Elementary School in Pointe-St-Charles also has a classic rock band, where students learn to play guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and brass instruments. Schools including Willingdon Elementary School offer lunch-time music clubs on top of music class and have concerts during the year.
Music fosters non-verbal communication skills, helping students take risks, express themselves and understand others better. It is also proven to have therapeutic benefits, such as stress relief and emotional release.
Participating in music programs can create a sense of community and belonging, which is crucial for students’ mental health.
“When music is included in everyday education, we see both the educational and social and emotional developmental benefits for students of all ages,” Mr. Doyon said.
