SONG (Sounds of the Next Generation) is proud to announce their newest program, SONGtech, made possible through funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund.
The Fund was developed to help non-profit organizations recover and rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19 to continue meeting the needs of Ontario communities.
“I am pleased to announce an investment of over $73,400 from the Government of Ontario through the Resilient Communities Fund to Sounds of the Next Generation to expand their programming through their new online SONGtech program,” said MPP David Piccini. “SONG is a crucial and valued part of our community. They enrich the lives of children and youth through their social development and leadership program. Supporting programs like these will make a real difference in the lives of many in Northumberland County.”
In SONGtech, students in Grades 7-9 will work in small online groups with experienced professionals who are passionate about youth well-being and the arts. Students will use new technologies to enjoy and create music, all while having fun, connecting with peers, and being part of a caring community. Students will have the opportunity to talk about and listen to music, compose their own beats, learn user-friendly audio technology programs on iPads, and engineer, mix, and record music.
Matt Azzarello, part of the SONGtech team, remembers his own introduction to music technology in high school. It changed the course of his life.
“All I needed was to see what was possible,” said Azzarello. “That opportunity opened the door for me, and now this is my career.”
After a year of pandemic-related challenges and disruptions, community is more important than ever, especially for young people. SONGtech will be a caring community and a safe space for students to learn about and create music with peers and to explore how music can help them grow and thrive as individuals.
“SONG is a really great program and helped me a lot. I learned about music and performing which helped me in school and in life. I used to be afraid to talk or do anything in front of people, but with SONG’s help I learned to push through it and do it anyway. Now I am a lot better at that kind of stuff,” said one of the students of previous programming offered by SONG.
We can’t wait to hear what SONGtech students will have to say about this new program.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded $115 million to 644 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
