top of page

Willowdale School of Music
Core Values

WSM is committed to supporting students and families by empowering them, through music lessons, to live lives that make the world a better place for all. Our Core Values program has been created to lay out specific actions that your child can take and lessons they can learn to help them embody the Core Values.

 

We expect that during your time at WSM, you will see your child grow in these areas as well as adjacent ones, and that your child will develop skills as a contributing member of your community; inspiring action, leading change and building relationships.

How to Participate:

 

Each Core Value has three actions to take to complete it. The actions are loosely ordered easy = A -> more work = C, but do not need to be completed in order. Some of the actions will be relatively quick to complete (like playing in a WSM recital), and others will take a couple of years (like practicing 500 hours). Students do not need to complete every action for each Core Value, however those that do over their time at WSM will be publicly recognized for their work at an invitation-only recital for those that complete all Core Values. As students complete Core Values, they will be recognized on our Core Value Wall so that their progress can be measured at a glance. 

​

Upon completion of all Core Value actions, students will submit a reflection of their journey through the WSM Core Values. This can be a written essay, artwork or video reflection.

  • Empathy (learning to understand and care about others’ feelings)

A. During the School Year term (10 months), enroll and regularly participate in group classes OR enroll in three Performance Masterclasses, actively listening to and working with classmates to make music, from a place of curiosity, openness and care for classmates

B. Perform in a non-profit, charitable or benefit concert

C. Perform a piece of music at a WSM recital written by a composer outside the Western Cannon

  • Compassion (empathy in action) 

A. Help another student to achieve one of their WSM Core Values

B. Display consistent compassionate actions that positively impact other students’ experiences (actively listening to others, cleaning up after yourself, taking your shoes off, showing up with positive attitude, thanking your teacher, etc)

C. During the School Year term, share positive feedback with another student on their performance at every opportunity

  • Resiliency (withstanding and overcoming difficulties)

A. During the School Year term, set and achieve 50 practice goals supported by a home practice journal

B. During the School Year term, enroll and participate in regular mindfulness classes at WSM

C. Perform in three different musical competitions (Kiwanis, North York Music Festival, RCM examination, etc), responding to feedback positively and integrating feedback from each competition to the next

  • Discipline (order and habits built through careful training)

A. 100 hours practiced

B. 250 hours practiced

C. 500 hours practiced

  • Kindness (friendly, generous, respectful and considerate actions)

A. Be punctual to lessons, classes and other events

B. Leave a note of encouragement on the bulletin board for another WSM student when you notice them excelling at a WSM value 

C. Consistently invite and encourage other students to participate orally and physically in conversations, classes and lessons

  • Creativity (imaginativeness and thinking outside the box)

A. Take a composition class at WSM and write your own piece of music

B. Have your own piece of music performed by you or someone else at a WSM recital

C. Choose a genre or style you don’t normally play and over two School Year terms, learn six pieces of music in that genre, perform one at a WSM recital

  • Responsibility (accountability to others and leadership practice)

A. During the School Year term, be a practice buddy for a younger or lower level student

B. Volunteer at a WSM day camp for one week

C. During the School Year term, write your own lesson notes at each lesson

  • Confidence (believing in yourself, your own efforts and abilities)

A. Perform in a WSM recital

B. Perform in a WSM community performance

C. Perform in a solo recital (minimum of 30 minutes in length, held in a public space with a variety of family, friends and other guests invited)

  • Social justice (fairness and equity in society beyond intersectionality)

A. Bring in two non-perishable donations for two separate food drives

B. Write a letter to your Member of Parliament, Provincial Parliament or City Councillor advocating for others regarding an issue that directly affects your community so that you contribute to building a community where all people are welcomed and experience safety and home

C. Volunteer at a non-profit or charitable organization for 20 hours

  • Environmental justice (a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for all)

A. Bring in 10 items for the Terracycle recycling box

B. Choose something that negatively impacts the Earth to abstain from for the School Year term (single use plastics, driving over walking or taking the TTC, eating less meat, etc) 

C. Plant and nurture a tree, edible or air purifying plant for a growing season

  • Wrapping It Up

    • Write an essay, draw/paint a picture or videotape a reflection of your journey through the WSM Core Values

bottom of page