Sistema NB launches new pilot project to engage more children in music learning and performance
MONCTON, N.B. Sept. 17, 2025: The warm and mellow sound of strumming ukuleles as a stepping stone to more music education are echoing through the halls of several New Brunswick elementary schools.
Sistema New Brunswick, the transformative music education program that teaches young children leadership, dedication and teamwork through orchestral music instruction, launched “Ukulele Voyage’ this school year to help more children become immersed in music learning and performance. Sistema NB was formed in 2009 by The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra to use music and the orchestra to create social change
for children who otherwise might not have the opportunity.
“It was clear to us the Sistema NB model, based on inclusion, intensity, excellence and ensemble learning, worked,” said Ken MacLeod, Founder and Strategic Advisor for Sistema New Brunswick. “How can we engage more children in music learning and performance? How can we leverage the incredible resource of our 75 Teaching Artists? How can we support schools to inspire a whole new generation of orchestral musicians? The answer was “Ukulele Voyage.”
Ukulele Voyage was designed with the partnership of James Hill, an award-winning Canadian ukulele virtuoso, educator, and composer, known worldwide for redefining the potential of the ukulele. Tony Delgado, NBYO music director and conductor, said the ukulele is a great first instrument for students.
“Ukuleles are small and practical. Harmonies and melodies can be played with it and it is easy to practice virtually anywhere,” Delgado said. “It is different than a traditional orchestral instrument, but the pedagogical approach developed by James Hill, an amazing musician, guarantees the best results.”
MacLeod said the pilot project started in September with 200 Grade Five children in three schools in Anglophone School District East: Magnetic Hill School, Maplehurst Middle School, and Wabanaki School.
Ukulele Voyage aims to engage more children in music learning and performance and inspire more children to continue their music journey. In addition to supporting classroom music teachers and providing the tools and resources needed to be successful, the goal of Sistema NB is also to increase awareness and appreciation of music education in schools and provide a model to inspire other Canadian provinces to revitalize their school music programs. 
The ukulele introduces key musical concepts like melody, harmony, rhythm, and form in a way that is immediately accessible and fun.
Kenn Mainville, NBYO President and CEO, said it was evident the program was a hit on the first educator training day. “We began playing together from the very beginning – some participants had ukulele experience and others had never touched the instrument. But within minutes, we were all playing through the course materials together, creating music as a unified group,” Mainville said.
James Hill, Ukulele Virtuoso and protégé of Chalmers Doane, said, “Ukulele instruction is a great fit for today’s classrooms. It’s accessible, affordable, and gets students making music together quickly which is exactly what today’s diverse learners need”.
“Tens of thousands of children learned ukulele through programs pioneered in Halifax by Chalmers Doane. We know this works. Ukulele is a fun way to teach music literacy and it provides a path for learners to orchestral programs,” he said.
A finale concert planned for Dec. 18 will bring the 200 person ukulele orchestra together to play in font of audience of about 1,000 school children. James Hill has composed a three-movement symphony for the orchestra, Symphonie Miniature. The children’s ukulele orchestra will join Hill and Tutta Musica Orchestra to perform the symphony.
MacLeod said he hopes the pilot program becomes a much-longer journey for New Brunswick students.
“The idea behind Ukulele Voyage is to equip and inspire more children to continue their journey in music as they enter middle school band, orchestra and other programs. And some might even find their way to the NBYO,” he said.