REGINA — A upcoming music hub for Regina Public Schools (RPS) is believed to be the first of its kind in Canada.
RPS is converting the former Dieppe School into a music centre for students in Grades 6 through 8.
“I think it very much signals a step into a new, more student-friendly area of music education with Regina Public Schools,” said Mark Haarmann, director and CEO of Regina Public Schools.
The school closed in 2012 due to unsustainably low student enrolment.
The idea behind the centre came from data provided by RPS for its band program. The school division found only 41 per cent of Grade 6 students participate in band. Additionally, 60 per cent of students leave the band program between Grades 6 and 8.
Based on feedback received, RPS identified the reasoning behind this.
“I would suggest the 60 per cent attrition rate is probably mostly because kids have missed too much class time for band,” noted Haarmann.
Adam Hicks, chair of the RPS board, could relate to this problem as his daughter is currently in Grade 6.
“My daughter's teacher cannot predict when she'll be pulled out for band right now. So my daughter is constantly missing math instruction or critical classroom instruction curriculum. She's missing out on that.”
With the new Music Centre Dieppe, Haarmann said the plan is for Grade 6 students to attend roughly four times a year, with music teachers also visiting their home schools. Grade 7 and 8 students will attend the centre for half a day once every week.
RPS will provide transportation across the city for students to get to and from the centre.
Expanding music accessibility
Starting this fall, Grade 6 students will receive specialized music instruction and hands-on experience with a musical instrument as part of the school division’s educational arts experience.
Previously, the band program was optional for Grade 6 students.
“This is really gonna give every kid a chance at all of our schools to have an opportunity to try an instrument, see if it's for them, and if they choose to pursue passion and excellence,” said Haarmann.
The school division estimates roughly 2,100 more Grade 6 students will learn music.
Band fees will not apply to Grade 6 students and will only be charged to those in Grades 7 and 8.
Haarmann is hopeful the move will cut the attrition rate in half.
Innovating with funding cuts
RPS made headlines last year after reducing its band program funding by $450,000 and cutting 4.5 full-time equivalent positions.
The decision wasn’t made lightly by board members, Hicks said.
"It has been a very frustrating year after year of just struggling with our tough budgets.”
The school board will utilize roughly $1.4 million in the proposed 2026-27 budget for instruction and the centre.
Haarmann noted the division will hire approximately six teachers specifically for the centre, along with additional staff to support programs in schools.
Those teachers could be the same ones in the current band program model RPS has for Grade 7 and 8 students.
The centre will undergo renovations over the next few months.
"We have some cosmetic touches that need to happen. The washrooms need a refresh," noted Haarmann.
Costs for the upgrades are expected to be in the five-figure range.
In addition to serving students, the centre will be a gathering place for the community.
“It will remain open in the evenings for community use through the City of Regina bookings. And just as important for our school families, it will also be open for family and other music lovers to attend student music performances in those evenings as well,” said Hicks.
RPS plans to re-evaluate the centre each year for the next three years.
