Music teachers at Burnett, Blair and Thompson wondered what would happen if older musicians mentored younger musicians:

Prior to November we pondered how to build connections between the high school and elementary feeder schools to help students have a smooth(er) transition from elementary to high school.  We also wondered why so few students were choosing to continue in music courses between elementary and secondary.​

Elementary students are keen about the opportunity and looked forward to each time that they got to meet with the Burnett students. They are eager to play and work with the older students.

Next Steps for this project: 

• Having a retreat that brings together elementary and secondary and brings in specialists on the instruments to help the students learn and work together​

• Have concert dates to work towards in both semesters.​

• Ensure there are ways for high school students to get credit or volunteer hours for mentoring.​

• Create opportunities for the groups (high school and elementary) to visit and rehearse with each other.​

• Advocate for timetabling with the administrators to allow for mentorship, cross grade connections, and community building​

• Have elementary itinerant/feeder band teachers have a chance to build relationships with their high school colleagues to encourage coordinated efforts to timetable elementary and secondary music programs to allow for collaboration.