If your love of music blossomed while growing up in Sooke, thereB次元官网网址檚 a good chance it was nurtured by Lorna Bjorklund somewhere along the way.
After a 48-year career as a music teacher, Bjorklund said her long-awaited farewell with a final concert on June 12 at Journey Middle School, just a week before her last class at Edward Milne Community School.
B次元官网网址淛une 12 was a bittersweet moment,B次元官网网址� Bjorklund said. B次元官网网址淥n the one hand itB次元官网网址檚 always nice to perform, but there was the realization that this was the last school concert. ItB次元官网网址檚 never been just about performances though because working with students and preparing them is very rewarding.B次元官网网址�
Bjorklund started her teaching career in Outlook, Sask., at a boarding school she had previously attended. She obtained her bachelorB次元官网网址檚 degrees in education and music from the University of Saskatchewan and later pursued a masterB次元官网网址檚 degree in education at the University of Ottawa. After completing her studies, she taught at the University of Ottawa for several years.
BjorklundB次元官网网址檚 resume highlights her experiences in various locations, including two years in Montreal, London, England, Brasilia, Brazil, and seven years of teaching in the Cayman Islands.
Most of BjorklundB次元官网网址檚 career revolved around teaching, where she could utilize Canadian, American, and British teaching methods. She found this aspect intriguing due to each techniqueB次元官网网址檚 distinct approaches and styles.
After her mother died in 2007, Bjorklund relocated to Sooke to join her father and siblings. In 2008, she began her teaching career at Journey Middle School, initially with only two 50-minute periods per week.
B次元官网网址淚 thought Sooke needed a band program, so I began the process of building one and recruiting students for a full band program at Journey,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲hile I was doing that, I decided we needed a string program, considering Sooke has the Philharmonic.B次元官网网址�
Bjorklund presented the idea of broadening SookeB次元官网网址檚 musical opportunities to Norman Nelson, the former conductor of the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra.
Bjorklund lobbied the Sooke School District board to make music compulsory in elementary schools and to include a band program at EMCS.
B次元官网网址淚 was very happy to get both asks,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he Harmony Project Sooke grew out of the string and band programs at Journey and Edward Milne. It was NormanB次元官网网址檚 idea, and I ran with it. It started in 2016 and has been growing every year. The community has been very supportive, and we have a very enthusiastic volunteer board.B次元官网网址�
A professional string teacher works with Harmony Project Sooke students three times a week,and there is a drum line as well.
B次元官网网址淭hose two programs are unique,B次元官网网址� Bjorklund said. ItB次元官网网址檚 the only string program in the school district.B次元官网网址�
Bjorklund stressed that teachers should possess two crucial qualities.
First, they should possess a deep passion and affection for the subject they teach, and second, they should genuinely care for their students.
B次元官网网址淎s a teacher, I think it is important to be a lifelong learner as well so that you can be fresh for your students. Even though I have several diplomas in piano performance, I still take lessons bi-weekly from Robert Holliston at the Conservatory in Victoria because I believe there is always something to learn in life, and this desire to keep current gives students the idea that learning music is exciting and lasts for a lifetime,B次元官网网址� said Bjorklund.
She cites her father as a great example of how music is a gift that keeps giving throughout your life.
Sheila Whincup first met Bjorklund in 2016 when Bjorklund approached her to join Harmony Project SookeB次元官网网址檚 board.
B次元官网网址淚 discovered that not only is Lorna a talented designer and teacher of band and orchestra programs, but she is also a persuasive recruiter of volunteers,B次元官网网址� Whincup said.
B次元官网网址淚 do publicity for Harmony Project Sooke because I agree with Lorna about the need to make music education more accessible for kids in Sooke, especially by introducing them to classical repertoire. I think people are drawn to her enthusiasm and genuine joy about all aspects of musical education, helping students to learn and love music, of course, but also the whole process of building programs.B次元官网网址�
Sandi Arts, an elementary music specialist whoB次元官网网址檚 taught at Ecole Poirier Elementary School for 17 years, lauded BjorklundB次元官网网址檚 efforts to start band programs.
B次元官网网址淭he result is that Journey and Edward Milne Community School have thriving and engaging programs ever since,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淟orna is a true gem in the Sooke community, a leader and creative thinker who believes deeply in the power of music to make positive change.B次元官网网址�
Arts have witnessed the difference Bjorklund makes first-hand through her two children, who were involved in band programs taught by Bjorklund.
B次元官网网址淟orna connects with people, and the positive impact of her dedication and desire to share her love of music will always be deeply appreciated by me and my family,B次元官网网址� Arts said.
B次元官网网址滻 think people are drawn to her genuine joy and enthusiasm about all aspects of music and all aspects of musical education in helping students to learn and love music. She is truly visionary, and her passion for bringing music into the lives of SookeB次元官网网址檚 children will continue beyond her retirement.B次元官网网址�
When asked how sheB次元官网网址檚 adjusting to retirement, Bjorklund paused before saying, B次元官网网址淚t hasnB次元官网网址檛 really sunk in yet because IB次元官网网址檝e been at the school every day. IB次元官网网址檓 looking forward to travelling more, giving private lessons, working with the Harmony Project Sooke, and working to make Sooke a music centre.B次元官网网址�
