In partnership with the Chapman and Innovation Grant through the UBC Centre for Community Engaged Learning, The BC Newcomer Camp‘s “Newcomers to Notes” is an in-person and volunteer-run afterschool program that will teach children piano for free. Led by students from UBC, this program will focus on teaching musical literacy and skills children will need as they begin their new lives in Canada.

“It’s very inspiring to watch children make and enjoy music together. Musical activities have been shown to help refugee children form friendships with others, express themselves, and can bring comfort in a new environment,” stated Tiffany Santos, one of the Music Program Instructors and Connor Keane, co-creator of Newcomers to Notes.

“Language and socioeconomic barriers are common for refugee children to experience while they adapt to a new life in Canada, these obstacles tend to disrupt their education, leaving little time to develop extracurricular interests such as music,” added Bachviet Nguyen, another Music Program Instructor and co-creator. “This has long-term ramifications: poorer academic performance, exclusion from the social benefits of music, and weaker access to future socioeconomic pursuits. Our goal is to provide music literacy lessons to promote equitable outcomes and educational success for these children in their new home country.”

Program Overview:

• Free music education program for newcomer refugee children
• Lessons are delivered in-person by experienced musicians
• Instruments and music books are provided
• ​Music education curriculum includes music theory, note reading, and hands-on training to play piano
• Bus tickets available for participants

Program details:

• Music lessons occur weekly on Saturdays – starting October 24, 2020
• Location: Northwood United Church (8855 156 St, Surrey, BC V3R 4K9)
• Music sessions are 1 hour per week per child

Note: All social distancing protocols will be in place for this program and will be strictly followed by staff and participants. 

Eligibility:

All participants must be:

• Between the ages of 7 and 14 years old
• Recently arrived refugees or refugee claimants

No background in music is required!

Sign Up:

1. Click here to download the Newcomers to Notes Music Program registration form 

2. Complete the form

3. Email completed form to [email protected]

Learn more here >>

For more information, please contact BC Newcomer Camp at [email protected]