We approach a very significant time in Canada’s history. Next year, we will celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary. Without a doubt, this monumental anniversary will be celebrated in many ways, everything from special projects to grand parties and we are sure that music will be included in most! Our heritage is deeply rooted in discovery, multiculturalism, and growth; uniting us as an incredible nation, with music as a constant and necessary voice for our journey. We are able to track this idea back one hundred and fifty years and see its development to modern times, where it is still providing a voice, commonality, and community.

This coming year, we raise our voices for the power of music in our lives over these past one hundred and fifty years. The Coalition has a variety of ways to become involved as a youth, teacher, parent, or community member:

• Next year, Music Monday takes place on Monday, May 1st … mark your calendars! Schools are already looking at ways to become involved by holding celebrations, or creating a video for #MMC2C2C.  They cannot wait for the BRAND NEW Music Monday anthem! We’ll be releasing details soon on our website, social media, and newsletter.
• Youth4Music leadership symposiums are taking place across the country. If you know a youth leader 30 or under who is passionate about music, this is the event for them! See a listing of dates in this newsletter article below. We are calling all change agents to create actions for change with our Manifesto, ‘learning, creating, making and valuing music in Canada’.
• Tell us what’s going on in your school! We want to hear your successes and celebrate them with you. Do you have a student or event to highlight? Email info@musicmakes.ca to share your important stories.
• Women’s Empowerment Through Music focuses on the women, stories, and music all motioning forward to the women’s right to vote in Canada. Share how you’ve been impacted by the power of music from a mentor, musical performance, or experience.

Let’s journey together this year and share how music has impacted our lives.  Let’s discover how we are diversely united by the power of music. Join us!

Principal of Music Education Award

WANTED – Exemplary Principals who support music in schools. Every year the Coalition for Music Education recognizes exemplary principals in Canada for their leadership and support of music programs in their schools - one recipient from each region. We are encouraging music educators, parents, and all supporters of school music to consider a principal in their area and submit a nomination for the award. The deadline for submissions is November 5th and winners will be announced November 30th. For more information on the Principles of Music Award, visit our website.

POMA Interview

We are catching up with one of our 2015 Principal of Music Award winners this month to hear how their school has been impacted by this award. Principal Haydn George of Kugluktuk High School in Kugluktuk, NU fills us in on what this award has meant for the music program at his school as well as the community. Read more.

Canada's National Music Centre

Have you heard? Canada has a brand new National Music Centre located in Calgary, AB. This incredible and beautiful structure celebrates the importance of music to all people living in Canada. Haven’t had the chance to visit it in person yet? Read here to learn more about why you may want to.

A review of ISME 2016

The Coalition’s Board Chair, Eric Favaro, shares his experience this past summer at the International Society for Music Education (ISME) conference in Glasgow, Scotland. “This year’s conference featured four exceptional keynote speakers, each of whom offered a unique perspective on music education and the power of music in our lives.” Read more.

Students Inspiring Change Through Music

A talented high school student in Kugluktuk, Nunavut is changing hearts and minds through music. Gordon Kaniak, a student at Kugluktuk High School, took part in the National Art Centre’s program Music Alive to create a very special song with a strong message. With the help of his friends, they recorded “Suicide’s Not the Answer”. Check out Gordon’s music video and listen to his song on the NAC website by clicking here.

WEM Interview - Renise Mlodzinski

The Coalition is collecting stories to celebrate women’s music in Canada through their Women’s Empowerment Through Music initiative. This year marks the 100th anniversary of when women first received the right to vote in Canada starting in Manitoba in 1916.  The journey to this right was made powerful by women’s expression through music as a means for social justice. We continue our series of interview from a teacher’s perspective and how she has been influenced by her students. Renise Mlodzinski of Winnipeg, MB shares, “I love watching musical and personal excellence co-exist in my students.  I love watching them dream of the person they wish to become and experience how music can color their story.” Read more.

Youth4Music Symposiums

Youth4Music is a youth-led program for youth that empowers leaders through music.  Youth come together to share ideas for action, move forward with inspiration and passion, making a difference for music in their schools and communities. Does this excite youth leaders in your school or community? Join us! We’re looking for youth 30 or under to participate in one of our upcoming symposiums taking place in your part of the country:

• Montreal, QC - Saturday, October 1
• Sydney, NS - Friday, October 7
• Winnipeg, MB - Saturday, November 19
• Toronto, ON - Saturday, November 26
• Vancouver, BC - Spring 2017

This FREE event will include inspiring speakers, local musicians, a jam space, discussion, food, a chance to win great prizes and more! For more information on Youth4Music symposiums, click here. Raise your voice!

Music Class Challenge

Does your music class have passion, creativity, and are you looking for a challenge? CBC Music, in association with MusiCounts is looking for a special take on some fantastic Canadian songs. Music classes all across Canada are encouraged to submit a video interpreting a song from CBC’s list of eligible song submissions. Visit CBC’s website for more details.  

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.