Launched in fall 2025, MCO Immersion is a year-long partnership between the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra and a Winnipeg school, bringing music learning, creative exploration, and live performance experiences into the school community. 

Through regular school visits, hands-on workshops, and opportunities to experience and perform live music, students build musical skills and confidence over the course of the school year. MCO Immersion programming is developed alongside school educators and responds to the interests and needs of participating classes.

The program is offered at no cost to the partner school, helping expand access to high-quality music and arts learning opportunities. 

Become the 2026/27 MCO Immersion partner school!

Are you a music or arts educator, classroom teacher, or administrator looking to bring more music programming to your school? We want to team up with you!

Applications for the 2026/27 MCO Immersion partnership open in September. Contact us to learn more about the program and whether it could be a good fit for your school. 

2025/26 MCO Immersion partner school: Gladstone School

Gladstone School was the MCO's partner school for the pilot year of MCO Immersion, with approximately 80 Grade 3 and 4 students participating throughout the school year. 

Students explored music from many angles: taking part in community soundwalks, making and playing instruments, experimenting with storytelling and rhythm through MCO Play activities, and developing ensemble and performance skills. The year culminated in a special performance alongside musicians of the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. 

Throughout the partnership, students developed their musical skills while bringing curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm to each new experience. We’re grateful to Performing Arts Teacher Charlotte Cook-Dowsett for the creativity, care, and collaboration she brought to the program’s first year, and for helping us build a strong foundation for MCO Immersion.

Above L-R: Gladstone School student on a soundwalk (photo by Suzu Enns, 2025), Gladstone students participate in a soundwalk (photo by Suzu Enns, 2025), students watch an MCOpen dress rehearsal (photo by Suzu Enns, 2025), student creating an egg shaker during an MCO Immersion workshop (photo by Suzu Enns, 2026), Gladstone School students perform a Toy Symphony concert (photo by Natanielle Felicitas, 2026), students play xylophones during an MCO Immersion session (photo by Laura Friesen, 2026)