The Coalition Team, Musically Speaking

Music lives in all different shapes and forms in the lives of nearly every Canadian. We want to introduce how music lives in the lives of our Coalition Team and Board. This month, we’re featuring Executive Director, Holly Nimmons, and Board member, Laura Lee Matthie. Take a look at what each of them had to say.

The Youth4Music network includes a collection of youth leaders across Canada who are working together to bring awareness to the importance of music education. These are youth voices advocating for youth issues that impact music education right now. We caught up with Youth4Music Ambassador George Murga Martinez in Toronto for a conversation about the importance of valuing music education across Canada on Music Monday, and why he’s excited to be involved.

Do you know a youth leader in your school who is making a difference through music? We are launching the 2016 NUFISCISUM Award nominations for youth across Canada who are making a positive impact in their school music programs. This award recognizes powerful youth by awarding them and their schools with a cash prize, as well as presenting a plaque to the NUFISCISUM winners who will be recognized as Youth4Music Ambassadors. Click here to find out more or contact info@musicmakesus.ca.

We caught up with some of our 2015 NUFISCISUM award winners to see what they’ve been up to and how they are continuing to make a positive impact throughout their schools and communities. Read more.

2016 Funding Applicants

The Joint Consortium of Research (representing the CMEA/ACME and Coalition for Music Education in Canada) is pleased to announce the successful research funding applicants for 2016:

• The development of school bands in Alberta prior to 1950 – Tom Dust
  Understanding artistic learning and youth arts engagement in a digital age – Susan O’Neill and Valerie Peters
• Engaging generalist teacher candidates using their own musical narratives and musicking experiences – Terry Sefton and Danielle Sirek
• Creating positive musical student experience through a collaborative community of pre-service, novice, and experienced music educators – Colleen Whidden

With appreciation to Joint Consortium of Research Committee members Francine Morin, Marlene Nolet, Jim Sparks, Laura Lee Matthie and Genevieve Cimon, and co-chairs Eric Favaro and Benjamin Bolden.

Annual General Meeting

Calling all members of the Coalition for Music Education in Canada

Annual General Meeting

Saturday, April 16, 2016

• Auditor’s Report and Financial Statements for the year-end December 31, 2015
• 2016-2017 Board of Directors members and Executive Officers
  Board and Program Reports
• Other Business

Members are invited to participate in an inter-active web-based meeting with the national Board of Directors at 12:00 noon EDT.  Please let us know if you are interested in participating, and if you have issues you would like to discuss with the Board, info@musicmakesus.ca.

Women's Empowerment Through Music

The Coalition for Music Education in Canada presents a new initiative celebrating the centennial of the right to vote for women in Canada. Women’s Empowerment Through Music aims to celebrate Canadian women who were empowered by, or who empowered others through music. Launched on International Women’s Day (March 8, 2016), this project seeks to identify and celebrate the incredible women of this country through a variety of ways. The Coalition is looking for your help to display the powerful stories, music and journey of these women of change by taking part in the following opportunities:

Let’s create a catalogue of women to honour who were empowered by, or who empowered others through music. These could be musicians, songwriters, composers, social justice leaders, educators, politicians … or others!

We will gather stories about music and women and how these stories influenced the women’s right movement in Canada.

By identifying works of music created between 1916 - 2016 we can bring a focus to music created by Canadian women who were socially inspiring.

A resource guide in the form of a ‘teaching and learning module’ will be created to explore the connection between music, and women’s equality and empowerment.

A program of the Youth4Music network, we plan to link youth with the Canadian history of women’s suffrage, social justice, leadership and civic engagement. Get involved by sharing your stories and ideas, and become a part of honouring Canada’s history. For more information please contact info@musicmakesus.ca.

Success Stories

This month we highlight and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Manitoba’s largest school division. The Frontier School Division has a deep and rich cultural and musical history.  This school division covers approximately 75% of Manitoba. Check out their message here.

Would you like us to highlight success in your school music program? Is there an inspiring story, special event, passionate student or other important spotlight in your music program? Tell us! Take a few minutes to fill out this form, and we’ll profile your story across the nation by featuring it on our website. Questions? Contact us by email at info@musicmakesus.ca, or by phone at 416-298-2871.

Are YOU ready for Music Monday?

Imagine - if everyone who believed in the value of music education joined together on one day to celebrate the power of learning and making music for all young people in Canada?  Imagine - if we proudly brought attention to this through media, social media in our communities and throughout the nation!  Imagine - if everyone who believed showed up on a map of Canada?   JOIN IN – SIGN UP!

The countdown to Music Monday is on.  Are you ready for May 2nd?  There are so many ways to celebrate.

Plan a musical celebration and sign up to share with the world what you’re planning for May 2nd. Win incredible prizes by signing up before April 20th!  

Lean the Music Monday anthem, ‘We Are One’ to sing with other people across the nation. There are FREE resources available in a variety of arrangements and translations.

Submit a video for the #MMC2C webcast of a performance, rehearsal or special message about how music lives where you do. This can be a new or old video.

Tune into the live streaming webcast to sing the anthem and be a part of the celebration.

Raise Your Voice at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto for the live showcase event, hosted by Céline Peterson and including local performers and speakers. Calling all volunteers! If you’re interested in volunteering on May 2nd in Toronto, contact info@musicmakesus.ca. A limited number of paid volunteer positions are available.

We know that music matters. What do you have to say about the power of music in your life? Questions? For more information email info@musicmakesus.ca, or call the Coalition at 416-298-2871. Let’s show the world how music lives in Canada from coast to coast!

Wise Voices for Music - Hamilton & London Highlight Reports

The Wise Voices for Music program brings communities together to discover and highlight local voices for music education in Canada. Providing a platform for discussion, representatives who advocate for music in their community identify local successes, develop goals and create a plan to build a stronger musical environment that includes music education as a fundamental component within the community. In October 2015, the Coalition hosted Wise Voices for Music roundtable discussions in Hamilton and London,ON.  Through a dedicated group of teachers, conductors, musicians, and advocates, we discovered the active and prosperous musical foundations of these centres.  We were impressed with the great work that both cities are doing. Read more about the successes and call to action for continuing to build a strong musical community in Hamilton and London.

Thank you • Merci • Miigwech • kinana'skomitina'wa'w

We are able to do all of this awesome work because of the support from many groups. For a full listing of this support go to Coalition and Music Monday.