Kids face the music after police partner with schools and the CPO

Students at two Calgary schools will have the chance to experience classical music on Monday, thanks to a partnership between the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Calgary Police Service and the Calgary Police Foundation.

Over 170 children at Patrick Airlie and Holy Trinity schools are participating in an “Instrumental Discovery Zoo,” where they will have the opportunity to play different instruments, compose their own short piece of music and make instruments of their very own. Professional musicians from the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra will help the kids every step of the way.

The afternoon ends with a mini concert giving the kids, many of whom do not normally have the opportunity to hear live music, a chance to hear a professional symphony.

The event was organized as part of the Integrated School Support Project (ISSP), which is a prevention-based initiative that provides targeted services to support kids in achieving greater academic and social success. It provides children and their families with in-school supports, such as a positive police presence, on-site psychologists, physical education specialists, social workers, access to a health clinic, mentoring, tutoring and meal programs.

The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the ISSP were brought together by Jeremy Clark, a generous donor who is a major supporter of both the orchestra and the Calgary Police Foundation.

The Calgary Police Foundation was established to partner exclusively with the Calgary Police Service and fund programs that focus on education, prevention and early intervention. It targets areas where the need is greatest and programs have the most impact on children, youth and families.

The Instrumental Discovery Zoo provides the kids at the two schools an opportunity to experience something new and possibly find a skill or passion that they could not have discovered otherwise.