This McMaster club is dedicated to fostering community and providing accessible music lessons
In today's economy, having a hobby can seem to be a privilege. Especially when doing what you love comes at a high financial cost, maintaining your passion When Sally Tsoi, a fourth-year student at McMaster University become aware of this barrier within the music world, she was inspired to found the Sound of MacMusic.
Offering free music lessons to McMaster students, the club is dedicated to making music more accessible. Currently, the club is recruiting new students and volunteer instructors and organizing a group trip to Long & McQuade, Canada's largest music store. Sally spoke with the Silhouette to share more about what Sound of MacMusic has to offer.
The Silhouette: Before we begin, could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Sally Tsoi : I am the founder and president of Sound of MacMusic and I'm currently in my fourth year of Health Sciences at McMaster. I’ve played piano for around 15 years but I’m still trying to improve.
Why did you start SOM?
SOM was founded because our team believes in two things: that music is a universal language and that education is a fundamental right. In the past, [music lessons] were seen as more of a prestigious thing. Nowadays, music education has become a bit more widespread, but we still see a lot of barriers, like cost, that are preventing people from accessing music education. Our club is trying to address these two constraints by offering free music lessons that are taught by student volunteers at McMaster.
Our team believes in two things: that music is a universal language and education is a fundamental right.
Sally Tsoi, founder and president, Sound of MacMusic
What can students gain from joining SOM?
Along with free music lessons, club members will receive an online seven-page guide with information on instrument rentals, practice spaces on campus and the surrounding Hamilton area, as well as other music related resources, such as sheet music. We're also trying to promote less mainstream, Westernized music and musical instruments by providing students with more diverse instruments from different cultures.
Why do you think music is so integral to university students?
There really isn't a barrier in music itself in terms of how you can express yourself. You can consider music as simply sounds and melodies and harmonies and rhythms. You don't even technically need an instrument to make music, so there's a big variety of ways one can interact with and enjoy it. For students, who often live in very stressful environments, I think music is a great way to help relieve stress and to reflect on how we can enjoy our life even more.
To become a SOM member, sign up for a membership here. For the latest updates, visit the club’s Instagram page @som.mcmaster.
Kick off back to school season with some fun adventures
September is the perfect time to explore Hamilton. The weather is pleasant, school isn’t too busy and there’s lots to do! Here are some events that are coming up in the next few weeks that are not to be missed.
Supercrawl
For art connoisseurs: Hamilton’s annual music and arts festival, Supercrawl, is back this year from Sep. 7 to 9 on James St N. The festival showcases and celebrates the community’s creative work, featuring local and emerging artists as well as established artists. It will also feature artisanal craft, fashion, art installations, literature, live music and theatrical performances.
Country Music Crawl
For country music lovers: the Country Music Crawl hosted by the Canadian Country Music Association is running from Aug. 24 to Sep. 16 at various locations throughout Hamilton, including Gore Park, Collective Arts Brewing, Mills Hardware, Art Gallery of Hamilton and Leander Boat Club. It features new and established artists, including Kyle McKearney, a Métis Canadian alternative country singer-songwriter nominated for four CCMA awards this year.
Hamilton Comic Con
For comic enthusiasts: Hamilton Comic Con will be returning to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum on Sep. 23-24. This event will feature exhibitors, comic books, movie cars, an arcade, cosplay contests, celebrity autographs, photo-ops and much more. Some of the special attractions that are worth checking out this weekend, include the Mystery Machine and the Supernatural Impala.
Witches Night In
For mystical witches: the Witches Night In hosted by the Creative Market will take place on Sep. 23 at The Scottish Rite. This mystic convention will feature over 40 vendors, swag bags, photo booth, tooth gems, spooky art and tarot readings. There will also be prizes, drinks—including mocktails and butterbeer—piercings and tattoos. This event could be a great way to end off the month, sure to get you in the mood for Halloween.
Enjoy yourself at these events and be sure to let us know your favourite part of them in the comments!
The Silhouette: Please introduce yourself.
Yiming Zhang: My name is Yiming and I’m in my third year of the [Bachelor of Health Sciences] at McMaster [University].
What are you involved with at McMaster?
I'm a pretty introverted guy. So when I go out to McMaster campus, you won't see me during spirit week or anything like that but I'll be in clubs. I'm a part of three clubs: the Meducator, McMaster Extra Life and Homework Help for Charity.
You say you are introverted. What leads you to try new things and put yourself out there?
A lot of times, trying things isn't really the hard part. People often have that mindset where they need to avoid 'wasting' time. I think that's a really big issue. No one wants to waste time. We want to be very sure of what we do. But, to some degree, I'm never going to be sure. Let's say the dance team wasn't mostly girls and let's say I knew how to dance. Maybe I don't know if I want to join the club, maybe it's too hard or maybe I don't like the atmosphere but I have to try to know. For the cover of the Meducator, someone else had the idea and wanted a volunteer. So I just offered. I think too much thought goes into it. It's only embarrassing if you think it's embarrassing. I think you just have to go for it.
"People often have that mindset where they need to avoid "wasting" time. I think that's a really big issue. No one wants to waste time. We want to be very sure of what we do. But, to some degree, I'm never going to be sure."
Yiming Zhang, third-year Bachelor of Health Sciences student at McMaster University
Have you ever used an English name?
I haven't. My name actually comes from a Chinese idiom. I think it's about this songbird that never sings, really just making it a bird. But once it does sing, its song is really beautiful. Here's the curse: I realized that I am painfully average at almost everything. For example, my sister [and I] are decent at swimming. That's good in comparison to other things we don't really know. I feel pretty average at studying. I'm average at piano and I've been doing piano from maybe grade four to Grade 12. A lot of time, I'm left thinking, "Okay, where's my song? Where's my talent? Why can’t I just have the talent?"
"I realized that I am painfully average at almost everything . . . A lot of time, I'm left thinking, "Okay, where's my song? Where's my talent? Why can’t I just have the talent?""
Yiming Zhang, third-year Bachelor of Health Sciences student at McMaster University
Some people just have a really big passion for something. Let's say drawing, you just see them drawing every single day [and] as a result, they get really good at it, right? For me, I think being average is kind of concerning because you can't manifest passion if you don't have it. I think that the passion aspect is critical. It just makes you feel, "Well I'm doing this, it's passable but they're doing this really really well". It doesn't always feel great but that's how it is. But I feel like then you'll find someone who's doing it really really well too. So eventually, being 'passable' isn't enough.
I don't have the strongest passion for piano. I love it but I don't think it's what I want to do. I can still practice for a long time but it can get tiring to practice the same thing for hours and hours and hours every day while I just haven't really gotten any better. I feel like if I had more passion, it'd be a lot easier.
But let me be clear, I'm not [going to] let it stop me from doing what I like. Even though I might say that something isn't my one true calling, I'll still try it. Yeah, it'd be nice if I was amazing at it, but that's all. I can't keep going like that. I can't just think: "Wow, I'm so sad and disappointed". You can still process your emotions like that but staying there doesn't get anyone anywhere. You're still where you started, albeit with a bit less emotional baggage. You can't let that stop you, you have to keep moving forward and do what you want.
"Even though I might say that something isn't my one true calling, I'll still try it. Yeah, it'd be nice if I was amazing at it, but that's all. I can't keep going like that. I can't just think: "Wow, I'm so sad and disappointed" . . . You can't let that stop you, you have to keep moving forward and do what you want."
Yiming Zhang, third-year Bachelor of Health Sciences student at McMaster University
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By: Sohana Farhin
During midterm season, it can be difficult to juggle assignments, midterms, extracurriculars, part-time jobs, and other things life throws your way. Taking care of yourself can often fall to the bottom of the priority list. However, considering the prevalence of mental health concerns on Canadian campuses, the concept of self-care and checking in with yourself is becoming increasingly important. The Canadian Association of College and University Student Services found that 89 percent of surveyed students responded feeling overwhelmed with all the things that they had to do for school. With Canadian Mental Health Awareness Week, just behind us, here are some activities you can try to relax your mind and soul to keep your mental health in check, courtesy of the Student Health Education Center.
Nature
A study by Selhub and Logan (2012) showed that spending 20 minutes in nature can help improve your vitality. Our brain responds calmly to the sounds of the nature and outdoors. In the fall, set some time to step outside the McMaster bubble and enjoy the trails Hamilton has to offer. Listen to the drizzling of the waterfalls while enjoying a breathtaking view of the trees’ colourful palettes. McMaster has some nearby trails; specifically, the Cootes Paradise trail and the Princess Point trail that leads to Bayfront Park. If you are willing to go further, take the HSR to Albion Falls or go to Dundas, and explore the many waterfalls.
Reflection
There are many mediums of reflection: prayer, journaling, lyrical writing, meditation, exercising. Pick a location in which you feel comfortable and set some time for yourself to reflect on your experiences, your goals, how you are feeling and what you have learned. Genuine and honest reflection increases your awareness of yourself and your surroundings, increases appreciation of the things you have experienced and allows you to learn from your mistakes. Take a look at Gibbs' Reflective Cycle for a foundation upon which you can start your reflection.
Hobbies
Annals of Behavioural Medicine reported that adults who engaged in leisure activities were 34 percent less stressed and 18 percent happier than those who did not. Challenging yourself and trying something new is a perfect way to spend time away from stressful obligations and help clear your mind. Whether it is learning a new instrument, picking up knitting, hitting the gym, learning a new language, playing a video game or anything else you want to do, having a hobby is therapeutic for your busy lifestyle.
To reduce stress levels and increase productivity, it can be beneficial to take a breather and spend some time alone. Breaks can help you refocus, reflect and keep you healthy and motivated. This article provided a few examples of what you can do to take a break, but the choice is yours. After all, the time is yours. Spend it in the way that makes you happy and ready to take on your next challenge.
