This action research is a collaborative effort between Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and the Kamloops Music Collective (KMC), a local non-profit organization, who develops and delivers the Kamloops Summer School of Music Program (KISSM). Other noteworthy KMC programs include Whole Note and Band Together. Whole Note is a comprehensive program that offers students of low-income families the opportunity to engage with music by providing music lessons, mentorship and additional performance opportunities. Band Together is a successful initiative that collects gently used musical instruments for students who wish to pursue music by creating an instrument lending library for children within the community.
Our goal is to investigate the benefits of musical arts education for children and youth, to better position music programming in the community and increase opportunities for music making. Children’s stories and feedback are important to help us better understand participant experiences and bring to light the many joys of music. In keeping with previous research findings, results show that students have benefited from this program in various ways, including the following qualities: discipline, teamwork, co-ordination, development of skills, pride, lifetime skills, accomplishment, cooperation, self-confidence, sense of belonging, responsibility, self-expression, creativity, performance, companionship, building character and personality, improving self-esteem, social development and enjoyment. While this research deals with the context of a unique music education program within the interior of British Columbia the findings could easily be extrapolated to fine arts education within other school districts across Canada. It provides a window into the lived experiences of students. Moreover, this study provides marginalized students with a voice by drawing on their personal lived experiences.
