Firebird North Sistema Music Project is a program whose purpose is to create positive social change in Prince Albert by building a community of youth engaged in music and movement. Firebird North is meeting a need in Prince Albert by providing daily after-school orchestra, classical dance, yoga, and choral instruction within a community-building framework

What is the El Sistema Model?

El Sistema is a program that originated in Venezuela in 1975. It was created by Jose Abreu, out of a desire to create social change in his neighborhood. In his community he saw a need for something positive and productive in the lives of the children who had lesser means. He began teaching a small group of youth how to play the violin, in a parking garage. From this humble beginning grew a program that has spread throughout the world, with overwhelmingly positive results.

Although the apparent outcome of the program is, of course, that children learn to play an instrument, the more important outcomes relate to the community that is built within the group over time. The members of the group learn to support one another, to work together to achieve goals, and learn the joy of belonging to a positive community. Additionally, children are given structure and a constructive after-school activity with mentorship and guidance from Firebird leaders.

MORE THAN MUSIC - Life skills and tools

In addition to music, dance and yoga vocabulary, our participants also have program vocabulary that focuses on virtues and character development. Our vocabulary has grown organically, through daily interaction. Some of the skills we are practicing include focus, patience, stamina, equanimity, integrity, diligence, courage and kindness.

Firebird North provides safe and positive engagement every school day,
for two hours (after school)

Group instruction that is focused on team work
Supervised, structured, skill-based, professional instruction in orchestra, dance, yoga, and rhythm instruments
A daily snack

Daily Schedule

3:00 Children arrive and enjoy a healthy snack
3:15 - 4:00 Yoga or Choral
4:00 - 5:00 Dance and Orchestra
5:00 – Children are picked up by their parents

Fridays are special

Every Friday the Firebird North participants perform for each other. The students gain confidence in performing and sharing, they support and encourage one another, and are learning performance and audience etiquette The students practice with a purpose - to perfect their skills and share their learning.

firebird family concerts

As the Firebird North students continue to learn new music and movement, we look forward to performances at community venues.

special guests

We also host special guests in the Firebird North space every Friday. We enjoy meeting community members who want to share their special talents, stories and gifts with the Firebird North children.

bente+cheers.jpg — FUN FRIDAYS

Community guests introduce our participants to new cultural concepts and skills

Firebird North is located at King George School. Plans to extend to other neighborhoods are ongoing
Firebird North Sistema Music Project is a non-profit organization that relies on grants and donations to operate
Children participate in programs free of charge
We hire professional staff to provide our quality programs, and depend on our wonderful volunteers for support in all other areas of operation

Our mandate is to provide programming in under-serviced
neighborhoods

“Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education,
because rhythm and harmony
find their way into the inward places of the soul.” - Plato

Firebird North Sistema Music Project is a registered non-profit organization. We rely on the generous support of granting organizations and foundations, community clubs, and individual sponsors for continued programming. Thank you for your kind support.

We are grateful for our wonderful volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering with us you can contact us on the form below.