Weekly lessons are free, but there is a modest registration fee. Rhythm & Pitch is a subsidized music program for children offered on Wednesday afternoons by Grace United Church in Barrie. As an after-school program for children in the community, it has been supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Barrie Kiwanis Club, Grace United Church, and community donors. The program aims to give childr
en between the ages of 6 and 13 an opportunity to develop musical skills in an open, inclusive and creative group atmosphere. The programs start in mid-September and runs to mid-June. There are two foundational programs based on the music education concepts of 20th century composer Carl Orff. They aim to nourish children's spirits and give them lifelong skills through music education. Singing together is part of the weekly routine. Children also learn the principles of rhythm and pitch by playing recorders, xylophones, drums, keyboards, trumpets, trombones, flutes ukuleles and guitars, depending on their ages and skills. Teachers April Rose, Patricia Carandang and Daryl Yaeger are all well qualified and supported in their classrooms with assistants. When children arrive for their weekly lessons, they are given a healthy snack before making music in group sessions. Instruments are provided for the lessons.
