Musical Petting Zoo for Calgary Youth

Youth involved with the Calgary Police Service’s Multi Agency School Support Team (MASST), a marquee program of the Calgary Police Foundation, will have an opportunity to take part in an Instrument Petting Zoo in partnership with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

On Monday, March 31, 2014, 24 students involved in the MASST program will join a number of musicians from the CPO for a mini concert and an opportunity to try out some of the instruments themselves.

Each season, the CPO provides a musical education to children and families in need at venues throughout Calgary, through the Musical Camps for Kids program. This program gives children, who normally wouldn’t have the opportunity, the chance to see and experience the thrill of live music.

At the CPO’s Instrument Petting Zoos, children can visit different stations, each featuring a different musician and instruments. The kids have the opportunity to try out the instruments, with some coaching from CPO musicians, or compose their own short piece of music, which the musician will play for them.

MASST is an early-intervention initiative that supports children and youth, aged five to 12, who exhibit behaviour that puts them at risk for criminal involvement, or victimization. While the focus of the program is on children, the philosophy of MASST also includes educating parents and inviting the family into an active role.

The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and youth from MASST were brought together by Jeremy Clark, a generous donor who is a major supporter of both the CPO 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. Funded programs are collaborative initiatives between the CPS and its community partners. The CPF targets areas where the need is greatest and programs have the most impact on our children, youth and families. CPF funded programs will help ensure Calgary is a great place to live and raise our families.

www.calgarypolicefoundation.com

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