I have been teaching classroom music at Riverside School in Prince Albert, SK for the past nine years. I was currently teaching classes from Pre-k up to grade five and conducting a lunch-hour choir that met twice a week.

Our school recently received a MusiCounts grant for our Fiddling Program. We already have a strong jigging program at our school and also wanted the opportunity for our students to learn to play fiddles in hopes that they could accompany the jiggers in the future. We are looking forward to receiving the new instruments and pursuing the fiddling program once life gets back to normal.

Going online has not been easy for our school. Many of our families do not have access to technology. I know many homeroom teachers are struggling with reaching families which leaves them feeling very frustrated and disconnected. When contact is made we try to stress the importance of having fun with your family, play games and make that educational.

I wanted to feel like I was doing something meaningful so I created a blog. I try to add musical activities and songs every day. I even adapted our school song to suit these interesting times. I am not sure how many families I have reached out through this blog, but it has given me a creative outlet during this very strange time.

Please feel free to check out the blog I created.

Stay safe and stay healthy!

Twyla Gange teaches music at Riverside School in Prince Albert, SK. Though she has been with her current school for 9 years, she has been teaching music for 25 years.