User:Deltamusic2010/Delta Community Music School

The Delta Community Music School is a community music school located in Delta, British Columbia. The school was founded in 1981 by the Delta Symphony Society (DSS) (Delta Youth Orchestra). It is a member of the British Columbia Association of Community Music Schools.

History
The Delta Conservatory of Music commenced operations on September 21, 1981, ten years after the inauguration of the Delta Youth Orchestra.

Through the efforts of Jean Kennell (DSS. President 1978-81) and her husband Frank (DSS board 1975 – 1982), the Delta Conservatory of Music was formed and taught classes after school at Delta Secondary School. Jean Kennell left the DSS to become the secretary of the new conservatory, and both became the driving force behind the new music school.

In 1983 the Delta Conservatory of Music founded its own board of directors, with the Kennell’s participating. The name changed to Delta Institute of the Arts (DIA), and expanded rapidly in the mid 1980’s to include a conservatory of music, an Orff and Kodaly program, a Music Therapy program, and a Theatre Arts program, with classes being held in Ladner, Tsawwassen, and North Delta. Jean and Frank Kennell retired in 1988 from the board of the DIA, and moved to Vancouver Island.

The Delta Institute of the Arts downsized in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, and could no longer offer the Theatre and Music Therapy programs it once did. In December 1994 the DIA became known as the Delta Community Music School and has continued operations under this name since that time.

Links
Official site of Delta Community Music School

British Columbia Association of Community Music Schools