Students recognized Brock Department of Music Chair Karin Di Bella (third from right) for the work she did with Music Ed Plus volunteers at the St. Catharines elementary school.

Students at St. Nicholas School have learned to tickle the ivories thanks to Brock’s Music Ed Plus program.

They can also belt out a tune and strum the guitar – opportunities they may not have had if it weren’t for Brock music students volunteering with the program and being placed in the St. Catharines elementary school.

Last month, St. Nicholas students and staff said thank you to Brock’s musical helpers at the school’s end of year mass and ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria.

“The greatest support we can get from you is the service that your program provides to our kids,” Principal Kevin Lamb said. “They wouldn’t be exposed to this level of instruction in the arts otherwise.

“You should have heard White Christmas at the (Christmas) concert. It was lovely – could have heard a pin drop.”

Music Ed Plus places Brock music students in their second and fourth year of studies in schools or with a community musical organization to gain practical experience. Students get involved with activities such as singing, conducting, teaching, coaching and performing.

Two music students were placed at St. Nicholas for both the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years to teach piano, guitar and voice lessons to children, some of who wouldn’t have been able to afford lessons.

St. Nicholas also honoured Karin Di Bella, chair of the music department and co-ordinator of the Brock students volunteering at St. Nicholas, by adding her name to the school’s volunteer tree.

Music Ed Plus is part of the Experience Plus programs at Brock. In 2015-16, it will add music therapy to the work its volunteers do.