RENOWNED VIOLINIST AND MUSIC EDUCATOR SPEAKS OUT IN SUPPORT OF MUSIC EDUCATION FOR ONTARIO SCHOOLCHILDREN
Music Education is a Proven Enhancer of Overall Scholastic Success
Toronto, ON – May 5, 2025 – The Toronto District School Board, one of Canada’s largest, recently announced a funding deficit that they have suggested should be addressed by reducing – or even eliminating – music education in Toronto’s public schools.
In response, Moshe Hammer, Executive & Artistic Director of The Hammer Band, a charity providing free music lessons to students in Toronto’s least served schools, released the following statement:
“The Hammer Band saw a need many years ago to provide music lessons to children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to benefit from all that a musical education provides: learning music, working cooperatively in a creative ensemble, focused problem-solving, and productive social interactions. All the teachers from The Hammer Band, who are themselves accomplished professional performers, have seen the many positive effects that music has on growing children.
“Indeed, there are many studies that prove that, in addition to training a child’s ear, improving muscle coordination, and opening creative horizons, children exposed to music education do significantly better in many other disciplines, including maths and language.
“This is, therefore, certainly not the time to curtail what we know enhances all children’s scholastic development. Music education must be preserved in the public school system and, where it is lacking, it must be supported by charitable endeavours such as The Hammer Band.”
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About The Hammer Band
The Hammer Band is a free music and social development program partnering with schools across Ontario to provide musical education and school performances to children living in underserved communities where musical instruments and instruction are not generally accessible. Starting in 2007, within their homerooms, our students are given weekly violin classes taught by professional musicians. Through this musical engagement, we build stronger communities by nurturing children from marginalized neighbourhoods, helping them to thrive and develop as team makers.