When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we knew that our shelter families needed our support more than ever before. Although we could no longer host in-person classes, we quickly found new ways to connect and encourage our families to continue to make music together.
Virtual Classes
We have moved our classes online! Our talented instructors have been teaching group classes for families and small group recorder, ukulele and vocal lessons for school age children virtually. For more details on our programs, click here.
The RSF Songbook Program
Every Thursday for 10 weeks we shared with our shelter partners a pre-recorded video and songsheet with fun, easy-to-navigate musical activities prepared by our talented RSF instructors. Many of our RSF favourite songs were celebrated including “Zoom, Zoom, Zoom”, “The Hokey Pokey” and “Little Green Frog”, providing simple ways for parents to sing, dance and create with their child(ren). All the materials are uploaded on our website at http://www.rainbowsongsfoundation.org/rsfsongbook. We also provided all of our shelter partners with a starter kit for each family with binders, craft supplies and a frog güiro (Latin American percussion instrument).
“Thank you so much for offering this great opportunity for families to enjoy music and song together, and for us to be a part of it. ”
“I have been receiving the RSF Songbook components weekly and they have all been so lovely! We have been able to hand out the Songbook supplies that we have received and songsheets and families were really happy to receive the initial little bundle, particularly the unique and surprising instruments. ”
Virtual Concerts
With Toronto Public Health recommending families look for different ways to observe occasions we wanted to provide a way for families to dress up, have fun and celebrate safely. Our talented RSF instructor Joanna Kellam and guest performers held an amazing virtual Halloween and Valentine’s Day concert. It was 45 minutes of songs, stories and enjoyment!
Instrument Delivery
Three deliveries of instruments and accompanying materials were sent out in fall 2020 and spring 2021 to over 300 shelter families. During these difficult times it is especially important to bring the joy of music to as many children as possible! We hope the instruments and accompanying materials will bring kids and families together to sing, dance and release stress.
“Children were overjoyed as they were exploring and clutching their prized possessions. This lockdown is hard on everyone, especially for kids. One boy is in quarantine because his classmate was exposed to COVID. He is very happy to learn a new instrument during his isolation.”
We will continue to work with our shelter contacts to identify creative ways to reach children and families as we know music can decrease feelings of depression and loneliness through building confidence and connection. This is something that the children and families we serve need more than ever right now due to the isolation COVID-19 has caused.