Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project?
The Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project is a free after-school music program that offers high quality music education for inner city students. It is guided by the vision of founding partner, international singer/songwriter, Sarah McLachlan, and offers both group and individual music training with a foundation in classical practices and techniques.

What courses of study are offered?
· Guitar
· Piano
· World Beat Percussion
· Choir (Youth Choir, Childrenís Choir)

Students who study Guitar, Piano or Percussion receive a one-hour group class per week and two 1/2-hour private lessons per month.

Students who participate in the choral program receive a 11/2-hour rehearsal per week.
As part of the program students have access to instruments, sheet music and practice rooms at no cost.

How can I apply?
Students who attend Mount Pleasant Elementary, Florence Nightingale Elementary, Queen Alexandra Elementary, Britannia Secondary, Sir Charles Tupper Secondary and Vancouver Technical Secondary are invited to apply. No previous music experience is required. As part of the application process, students will be interviewed by an instructor, and will be required to write a short paragraph outlining why they want to study music.

To receive an application form, please contact:
Ann de la Hey,
Program Coordinator
604.709.4415
adelahey.smmo@telus.net

Are there age requirements?
Students in Grades 4 through 12 are invited to apply.

How much are fees?
This program is free of charge. Students, once accepted, are required to pay a commitment deposit of $20 per term, for a total of three terms. The commitment deposit is refunded in full at the end of each term, to those students who have two absences or less per term.

How many students are involved in the program?
There are 200 students enrolled in the 2004/05-program year.

Are your instructors qualified?
Classes are taught by professional musicians/educators. In addition special guests from the professional music industry are invited to lead workshops and special projects. Class sizes are small to ensure the maximum contact between instructor and student.

Do students perform?
In addition to scheduled classes, students have the opportunity to participate in performances at the school and in the community.

When are the program dates?
The Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach runs September to June for a total of 32 weeks of instruction.

Where is the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project located?
The Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach is situated in Vancouver's Mount Pleasant community. The facility includes two large studios, seven practice rooms and one listening room.

Does the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project have other locations?
At this time, the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project has one location in east Vancouver.

What are the hours of operation?
The Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project is open:
Monday to Friday: 3:00pm to 7:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Sundays and Holidays: Closed

How is the organization funded?
The Sarah McLachlan Foundation is the lead sponsor of the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach ~ An Arts Umbrella Project. Corporate and individual cash donations and in-kind donations of building space, equipment, instruments and sheet music have also made this program possible.