Royal Conservatory of Music: Sound Connections

http://www.rcmusic.ca/ContentPage.aspx?name=A_Bridge_to_Toronto_Communities

Through consultations with local youth and community members, the Royal Conservatory of Music's Sound Connections initiative develops and conducts year-round music programs for youth in Malvern and Jamestown. Programs include: hip hop, taiko drumming, singing, song writing, music production and deejaying.

Local artists and performers instruct participants on CD production and marketing. Youth participate in various community events and concerts, and several groups recorded and produced CDs of their work.

A core group of 10 youth took a lead role in working with RCM to plan programming, make decisions and conduct program outreach, research and evaluation as part of a summer internship program. This resulted in the creation of the Summer Internship Program for emerging musicians. 190 participants took part in a total of 19 programs in year one.

The initiative has built strong relationships with Malvern Community Recreation Centre and Elmbank Community Centre, and other YCF initiatives Elevated Grounds and Flemo City Media.  These emerging partnerships have allowed the program to reach more youth in the Flemingdon-Park and Steeles-L'Amoreaux neighbourhoods. 

The initiative has led RCM to reflect on how it can support community-based music initiatives like this one in the future. As a result of this initiative, RCM has begun to engage with the community in a different way. The initiative is currently working on a 'Youth in the Arts' symposium.