On two Saturdays in January, StFX music students could be found in the music room at St. Andrew Junior School (SAJS) helping mentor middle school band and choir members. The clinics sessions brought together beginner and intermediate SAJS musicians with StFX student mentors, creating a learning experience designed to build skills, confidence, and community.
The initiative grew out of conversations between SAJS music teacher Janet O’Brien and the newly formed Music Parents Association, which supports the school’s extracurricular music programs.
“We recognize that we want to have a strong musical connection here in Antigonish and what better way to do it than through the music program at StFX,” says Ms. O’Brien who notes that while there have been valuable informal connections between the two schools in the past, this marked the first time a collaboration of this scale was organized.
Ms. O’Brien says she wanted to build on that past wonderful experience and help students by giving them opportunities to strengthen their skills and techniques through smaller group instruction. “As a music teacher, I want students to have authentic learning experiences and what better way to do this than bring in students who are learning music at StFX to give them meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that support our music learning but also give the students valuable teaching and mentorship experience.”
Approximately 60 SAJS students took part in the clinics, which were led by several StFX music students alongside local music teachers. The sessions focused on technique, musicianship, ensemble skills, and building confidence through collaborative music-making.
Ms. O’Brien says they’re hoping the partnership builds confidence, musical skills and enthusiasm for music at all levels. Partnerships like this strengthen the relationship between both the university and public school system, she says.
“Seeing our StFX university students come to work with our young musicians is something that has sparked motivation in our students, as well as myself. We hope that the experience helps them grow musically even if just by a little bit.”
StFX Music Department chair Jake Hanlon says from his perspective, it gives everyone the opportunity to learn something.
“I know from my experience as an educator, nothing challenges you more than working with less experienced musicians to really cut to the chase about the music.”
He says the clinics allow StFX students to apply what they’ve learned in a real-world educational setting while reconnecting with a younger version of themselves.
“If we’ve done our jobs well at X, our students now know what goes into a life of music, it requires passion and commitment and deep thought. If a young individual is inspired by seeing that in our students, then it fosters a sense of belonging, wonder and might lead to a lifelong love of playing an instrument or singing, regardless of if they go into music after their high school days are over. Who knows, maybe some of these students at SAJS will show up in our classrooms in a few years.”
Prof. Hanlon also emphasized the importance of partnerships like this in a world increasingly shaped by digital and artificial experiences.
“Supporting music in its most natural state, live, in-person performances, talks, and masterclasses, is critical,” he says. “That’s real art and real connection. It’s part of what makes us human.”
For Grade 5 saxophone player Scarlett Wright Relf, the experience was easy to sum up: “That was awesome!”
