In the fall of 2024, all symphonic music registrations have been refused for the year 2025-2026. The Centre de services scolaire de la Capitale (CSSC) said that not enough inscriptions were received to justify the creation of a new 7th grade (secondary 1) group.
Bernard Drainville, the Minister of Education, stated that he had checked with the CSSC and noted that the music concentration is not intended to be cancelled.
Early last December, Sol Zanetti, our representative at the national assembly, sent a letter to Drainville saying, “The program is in danger.”. Zanetti asked Bernard to initiate an investigation into the CSSC to maintain the concentration. He specified that Bernard Drainville should not disrupt the decision of the Centre de services scolaire de la Capitale, but rather provide management with some advice or tools to preserve the program.
Unfortunately, the music discipline might be losing its appeal. Many attempts were made to gather as many inscriptions as possible. Since the new year, students have been delivering musical performances in primary schools to receive recognition. Last month, the concentration was held at the Ste-Monique church to promote specialization for 6th-, 5th-, and 4th-grade students; they had the opportunity to try all the orchestra instruments.
Yet, teachers are concerned about our concentration. “It’s unfortunate that next year’s class is getting nullified. We hope to have more inscriptions next time.”
The current 7th and 8th grades will be the most affected by this decision in the future. The string symphony and harmony will not have enough students to be efficient. The music specialization is already struggling to find enough students for some compositions.
Music students fear the end of the program: “Unfortunately, the concentration in music is getting cancelled.”, “Camaradiere isn’t going to be the same anymore.” “I’m sad for the primary students, who wanted to join the music concentration.”.
On the 22nd of March, at the Jazz Pop Festival of Quebec, the string symphony and Stage Band won two silver medals. The brass ensemble won a gold medal. The success of the outstanding performance has attracted positive comments on Facebook: “Congratulations on your effort, musicians, keeping this wonderful program! Thank you, professors who are creating good confidence links.”
The concentration has existed since 1990, and retired students fear their favourite program will be gone for future generations.
A petition has been opened and has attracted more than 3,218 people who have signed it. Sol Zanetti sponsored the petition by sharing his love for the concentration on his social media, with 32 comments and 111 shares. The Québec solidaire’s member post is making people joyful: “What??! I’m signing it!”, “Again, Zantti is still solving real problems.”, “It is essential to preserve music in school.”
Would you like to join the music concentration, or is your child interested? The Camaradière is always available for new inscriptions.
For more information ⇒ https://ecole-secondairedelacamaradiere.cssc.gouv.qc.ca/programmes/art-etude-en-musique-symphonique/
