At St. Thomas More School, music is a joyful expression of community, creativity, and a sense of belonging. Under the direction of teacher Janice Henderson, the school’s music program has blossomed, bringing together students from Grades 1 to 6 to sing, play, and grow together.
At both the school’s opening Mass and the Remembrance Day Liturgy this fall, more than 30 students participated in the choir, representing nearly one-third of the school.
How the Orchestra Began
The school’s thriving orchestra began as a simple idea that grew from student enthusiasm. The St. Thomas More Junior Choir was originally started two years ago by Mme. Dorval, with Ms. Henderson accompanying on cello and Mme. Dorval’s mother plays the piano. When Mme. Dorval moved to another school, many students were eager to continue making music.
“With a lack of volunteers, I asked students to come and help play some instruments,” Ms. Henderson recalled. “One very enthusiastic Grade 2 student proudly announced that she wanted to learn the violin, so I borrowed one from the public library. Before long, we had a lovely Easter liturgy with piano, ukulele, cello, violin, trumpet, and drums. About half the school was involved in either choir or orchestra, which was really amazing to see. This year is an expansion of that.”
Each week, students gather to rehearse and learn new instruments, including piano, guitar, violin, and cello. Many of the instruments have been borrowed from the public library or donated by families, allowing students to explore music without barriers. Ms. Henderson said the enthusiasm has been incredible.
“Students come to find me excitedly to ask if they can come and play an instrument,” she said. “It’s wonderful to see that excitement. They share instruments, teach each other, and even bring in old instruments from home. Some have asked for instruments as gifts because they’ve discovered how much they love playing.”
A Growing Love for Music
The benefits of music reach far beyond performance. Ms. Henderson has seen her students develop confidence, leadership, and patience through the choir and orchestra.
Students are developing essential skills that go well beyond music. They are learning persistence as they listen to one another and as they practice and perform. Through their rehearsals, they see how consistent effort leads to improvement and how teamwork can create something beautiful. They are also learning valuable time management skills and discovering the science behind sound.
Music provides every student with a place to belong. Older students often mentor younger ones, taking pride in helping their peers learn and grow. This sense of shared purpose and encouragement has become one of the most meaningful parts of the program.
Hopes for the Future
The choir and orchestra are now preparing for several upcoming performances, including a performance of O Canada at an Ottawa 67’s game in January, an Easter celebration, and the Grade 6 leaving ceremony.
Each event gives students a chance to share their hard work and see the joy their music brings to others.
“Performing helps them understand how their effort connects to something bigger,” said Ms. Henderson. “It’s not just about the notes, it’s about how they make people feel.”
As the sounds of singing and string instruments echo through the halls of St. Thomas More, it’s clear that this program is striking all the right notes. Through music, students discover their voices, build confidence, and form a shared sense of community.
