Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra – PhilKids

Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra – PhilKids

Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra - Philkids

The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra is a pillar of Calgary’s vibrant arts community and since 1955, has grown to be one of Canada’s most celebrated live music ensembles. The CPO serves as an active leader in the community providing educational performances and outreach opportunities for students, seniors, and other charitable organizations.

One of these opportunities, PhilKids, is inspired by Venezuela's El Sistema program, where students benefit from a social program taught through music. Students from grades 1 to 5 participate in music lessons led by musicians from the CPO. Teachers quickly develop a rapport of trust and respect with their students through close work twice a week over the school months. Pre-service teachers are invited to join PhilKids for this semester for Thursday lessons, working alongside CPO musicians to support and empower children through the exploration of music.

Who?

Best fit for students in their EDUC 400s or their non-education years

Working with students in Grades 1 - 5

What?

Classroom-based after-school program

Focus on music, the arts, and educating the whole child

When?

Fall/Winter

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and/or Thursdays

Possibility to continue until the end of June

 

Where?

In-person at Falconridge School and Keeler Elementary

PhilKids Logistics


What's Involved

  • Participating pre-service teachers will work with CPO musicians to support PhilKids online one afternoon a week.
  • PhilKids' emphasis is on developing students' social skills through music. Pre-service teachers are especially encouraged to work with the instructors to support social learning in the classroom.

Requirements

  • Pre-service teachers need a current Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (issued after May 1 of the current academic year). Students who do not already have a police check should begin this process online with their local Police station as soon as possible as police checks often take 4-6 weeks to process. Please see the Field Experience Police Information Requirement webpage for more information on how to request a PIC-VS..
  • Pre-service teachers will be asked to participate in a phone interview before attending the first session.
  • A musical background, while helpful, is not necessary. Participating pre-service teachers will instead serve in a supporting role in the classroom, drawing on their education background and experiences working with children and youth.


Program Learning Outcomes

  • Examine a variety of approaches to teaching and learning in non-traditional educational settings
  • Examine how educators apply teaching concepts in their daily work
  • Examine how teaching and learning take place in other contexts
  • Gain experience working with youth in a classroom setting
  • Gain experience working with youth in a small group setting

PhilKids Dates and Times

  • Phone Interview with CPO Staff: Time TBD based on student availability
  • Orientation and Training:TBA; January 2024
  • PhilKids Sessions: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
    • Mondays/Wednesdays at Falconridge School
    • Tuesdays/Thursdays at Keeler Elementary
  • Group Reflection Sessions: TBD  (1-hour session, based on your schedule)
  • Students are invited to participate for the Fall and/or Winter semester, and are welcome to continue into the Spring semester based on individual interest/availability.

Co-Curricular Service-Learning Dates


Fall Semester Timeline

  • Fall 2024 Applications Open: August 28, 2024
  • Werklund Information Sessions:
    • September 9, 10:00 am (in-person: EDT 450)
    • September 9, 2:30 pm (Zoom: Register here)
  • Fall 2024 Applications Close: September 15, 2024 (program dependent)
  • Fall 2024 Placements Start: early October (program dependent)
  • Fall 2024 Placements End: mid-December (program dependent)

Winter Semester Timeline

  • Winter 2025 Applications Open: November 15, 2024
  • Winter 2025 Information Session: November 26, 5:00 pm 
    (Zoom: Register here)
  • Winter 2025 Applications Close: December 1, 2024 (program dependent)
  • Winter 2025 Placements Start: early January (program dependent)
  • Winter 2025 Placements End: mid-March (program dependent)

Experiential Learning Check-In & Reflection Opportunities

All participants in Experiential Learning programs are welcome and encouraged to attend at least two of the check-in & reflection sessions below as part of their program. Reflection is an incredibly important part of experiential learning. It encourages students to consider their experience so far and to adjusted as needed as they go forward through the rest of their program, or into the next step of their career.


Fall Check-In & Reflection Sessions

  • Tuesday, October 15, 2024: 9:30 am (Zoom)
  • Monday, October 21, 2024: 2:30 pm (in-person)
  • Tuesday, October 29, 2024: 5:00 pm (Zoom)
  • Monday, November 4, 2024: 9:30 am (Zoom)
  • Tuesday, November 19, 2024: 12:00 pm (Zoom)
  • Friday, November 29, 2024: 9:30 am (in-person)
  • Tuesday, December 10, 2024: 5:00 pm (Zoom)
  • Thursday, December 12, 2024: 9:30 am (in-person)

Winter Check-In & Reflection Sessions

  • Monday, January 20, 2025: 9:30 am (in-person)
  • Monday, January 20, 2025: 2:30 pm (Zoom)
  • Thursday, January 30, 2025: 9:00 am (in-person)
  • Monday, February 3, 2025: 9:30 am (in-person)
  • Tuesday, February 4, 2025: 12:00 pm (Zoom)
  • Thursday, February 20, 2025: 1:30 pm (Zoom)
  • Tuesday, March 4, 2025: 5:00 pm (Zoom)

Service-Learning group

Winter 2024 applications are now closed.

Interested in applying for a future semester?

  1. Log on to Elevate and go to My Werklund Experiences > Courses/Programs
  2. Find the Service-Learning program and click Apply
  3. Complete the Service-Learning Application

Download an application guide here.

Apply on Elevate!

These service-learning experiences are fantastic opportunities to support teacher education and to relate what we learn to actual classrooms.

Service-Learning Participant