They start off pretending to play cardboard violins and flutes made of mini pool noodles. A few years and many hours of hard work later, the students of YONA-Sistema are bona fide musicians performing live on-stage with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO).
YONA – the Youth Orchestra of Northern Alberta – is a free, after-school program offered by the ESO. It’s provided for kids in priority neighbourhoods in Edmonton and also on Alexander First Nation. They get homework help, a snack and activities but above all, tons of top-quality musical instruction.
And it’s just about time for Road to Joy, their triumphant end-of-year concert with the ESO. It takes place Wednesday, June 4, at the Winspear Centre.
It’s incredibly exciting for the students. And emotional for the staff, says Olivia Menard, interim YONA manager.
Every year they play Ode to Joy, from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
“And every year there is a moment in the last five measures where the organ is going and the students and the ESO are playing their hearts out. It’s this huge, big finale and all of us YONA staff are backstage, crying,” she laughs.
YONA includes kids from Grade Two to Grade 12.
There’s always a kid who says, ‘I’m glad we got pizza!’” she says. “But for the other kids it is such a moment of pride for them. They are always so, so proud.”
It’s the culmination of months of effort.
“These kids work really, really, really hard. Playing an instrument is no small feat for an adult and our students work to get to the point where they can play a symphony with the ESO,” says Menard.
Music is the foundation of the program but it’s the key to unlock much more.
“We are giving them a musical skill but it’s a means to the end of community-building and social change. We’ve seen so many kids change and grow into wonderful people because of the skills they learn. It’s a safe space for kids to grow into who they are.”
“I think sometimes people perceive our program as a great musical opportunity for kids who wouldn’t otherwise have it, which it 100% is,” says Menard. “But the music is really a vessel for the value and the space we are creating for them about community.”
Tickets are free for The Road To Joy but concert-goers are encouraged to make a donation to YONA-Sistema. More details can be found here.
