In recent weeks we have put measures in place to continue teaching our students while keeping both students and teachers safe. This means a complete shift to online learning – something we have spent the Summer months perfecting. Students have shown us that they are more eager than ever to continue learning online, and our teachers have risen to the challenge. Here are the main changes from our normal education format:

• Lessons and classes will take place after school hours and on weekends, rather than during school hours

• Due to the restricted teaching hours, classes will be comprised of more students than normal

• All in-person special events such as school concerts will be prohibited until further notice

We are all doing our best to adapt to the constantly changing circumstances around us. However, our primary goal remains to provide our services to as many students as possible.

Whether you are a volunteer, supporter, donor, student or parent, we encourage you to reach out to us at [email protected] for more information on what we are doing to keep our teachers and students safe while continuing our important work.

This month marks the beginning of our ongoing Hammer Band Summer Jam, where 200 students are taking weekly violin lessons online. Every Tuesday, we host a large group party with over 50 students on Zoom at one time! Students have the chance to play games, learn new songs, and show off their hard work in front of the group. Here’s a small glimpse into our weekly Zoom parties:

You can help us by supporting our Summer fundraiser at www.GoFundMe.com/thehammerbandsummerjam

All proceeds will go toward continuing these wonderful Summer get togethers.

In light of all of the cancellation of Summer camps and music programs, The Hammer Band is running a summer music program for children and youth in the underserved neighbourhoods of the GTA beginning in early July, 2020.

The Hammer Band Summer Jam will provide a virtual musical experience, through interactive games, fun activities,  lessons, practice challenges and on-line concerts! We are committed to giving our Hammer Band students every chance to learn, thrive, have fun and be happy during this very difficult time.

Our goal is to help our Hammer Band students explore their imaginations and discover creativity through the power of music. This Summer jam is a special program we are running for this summer of 2020.

Let THE JAM begin!

These are confusing, anxiety-filled, and uncertain times for all of us. But this doesn’t mean that our important work has stopped. Our services just look a little different during this time of uneasiness and uncertainty. Here’s what we’re doing:

1. Connecting with students and encouraging them to use music and art as an outlet during these times.
2. Providing one-on-one and group lessons to any students that are willing and able to do so.
3. Coming up with creative ways to operate in a virtual environment, and
4. Planning ahead for next year to ensure we are able to continue our work whether it be online or in-person.

These program changes have not been easy, and our staff, teachers and students have been incredible at adapting.

For a glimpse into the new ways we are connecting with our students, check out the following video of one of our teachers, Praise Lam, reaching out to her students with a positive message.

Finally, we would like to let you all know that we welcome donations of any size to help us move forward as we begin preparing for the school year ahead.

The Hammer Band Summer Jam was a huge success. Over the 8-week Summer program, we had nearly 200 students participating in online classes and lessons. We also hosted a weekly zoom party where we had 50 students in one virtual session taught by a different Hammer Band teacher each week. In these parties we learned new songs, played games, had fun trivia sessions and more.

Having the chance to test out these online virtual systems was crucial for us as we move into the new school year where we will be fully online until further notice. To learn more about how we are continuing our program during the COVID-19 pandemic, please click here.

Finally, we sincerely thank our generous donors and supporters for making this Summer possible. Through our 2-month GoFundMe fundraising campaign we raised over $27,000 of our $30,000 goal, and we cannot be more thrilled. To show you just how much this Summer meant to our students, here are a few quotes:

“Since a young age, it has been an aspiration of mine to be able to play the violin. I heard it was good for the mind, I liked its repertoire the most, and it looked like a lot of fun. But, because of how costly it was, I wasn’t able to. Through the Hammer Band alone was I able to fulfill this dream. I also made quite a lot of friends through playing the violin, and the experience of learning together with my peers is invaluable to me.

I am most glad that I was able to spend the summer continuing lessons and attending jams, especially during this era. It made my time at home feel a bit less depressing, and for that, I am grateful. The quizzes were one of my favourite parts, might I add.”

“My favourite part of the summer jam was to connect with all of the Hammer Band Students through out the GTA in a time where we can’t meet one-another in-person.”

“My favourite part of the Summer Jam was learning new songs and working with different students and teachers. I also liked all the jokes that everyone shared. I am excited for our next Hammer Band Lesson!”

“My favourite part about the Hammer Band summer jam was learning new songs like ode to joy with amazing teachers who are so talented. I am truly blessed that I got a wonderful opportunity to learn from these awesome teachers. Also it’s so cool how even through the challenging times we still came together and learned a beautiful instrument 🎻 . I am so sad that the summer jam has come to an end but I look forward to learning more. The summer jam was for sure one of the best things this summer and I’m glad that I took part in this. Thank you :)”

We are thrilled to share that we were featured in a wonderful TV spot on CityNews earlier this week in Toronto. Check out the video for yourselves:

This month marks the beginning of our ongoing Hammer Band Summer Jam, where 200 students are taking weekly violin lessons online. Every Tuesday, we host a large group party with over 50 students on Zoom at one time! Students have the chance to play games, learn new songs, and show off their hard work in front of the group. Here’s a small glimpse into our weekly Zoom parties:

You can help us by supporting our Summer fundraiser at www.GoFundMe.com/thehammerbandsummerjam

All proceeds will go toward continuing these wonderful Summer get togethers.

In light of all of the cancellation of Summer camps and music programs, The Hammer Band is running a summer music program for children and youth in the underserved neighbourhoods of the GTA beginning in early July, 2020.

The Hammer Band Summer Jam will provide a virtual musical experience, through interactive games, fun activities,  lessons, practice challenges and on-line concerts! We are committed to giving our Hammer Band students every chance to learn, thrive, have fun and be happy during this very difficult time.

Our goal is to help our Hammer Band students explore their imaginations and discover creativity through the power of music. This Summer jam is a special program we are running for this summer of 2020.

Let THE JAM begin!