Youth4Music Ambassador Receives James Bartleman Award

We first met Cole Forrest during a Youth4Music event in North Bay, Ontario. We were inspired by his creativity, unique voice, and commitment to the arts. We have continued to be inspired by his work and voice for  First Nations communities; so much so, that we asked him to join us as a speaker during our first Youth4Music Toronto Symposium last year. We are thrilled to announce that he is one of six 2016 recipients of the James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Award in Canada. This prestigious award recognizes youth writers and their creative writing talents. We spoke with Cole to learn more about what makes him an artist and his acceptance of this award. Read more.

Music Monday Highlight Video

We are thrilled to release the 2016 Music Monday Highlight Video of the National Showcase Concert at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto. We has some incredible speakers, performers, hosts, and announcements! It was an awesome day to celebrate the power of music in our lives. Check it out by clicking here.

We already have schools looking ahead to Music Monday 2017 (May 1, 2017)! Are your plans coming together to learn our new anthem (BIG ANNOUNCEMENT SOON!!), host a celebration, or create a video showing how music lives where you do? Tell us! We’re here to support and help you plan with resources on our www.musicmonday.ca website or by contacting our program coordinator at info@musicmakesus.ca. Let’s celebrate the power of music like never before!

DEADLINE EXTENDED - Principals of Music 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 (East, Central, West). We are encouraging music educators, parents, and all supporters of school music to nominate a Principal in their area the award. The deadline for submissions has been extended to November 12th. Winners will be announced November 30th. For more information on the Principals of Music Award, visit our website.

POMA Interview - Darcy Sander

We continue to follow up with our 2015 Principals of Music Award winners to find out how this award has made a difference in their schools. The winner of our Western Region, Darcy Sander of École Vickers Public School in Prince Albert, SK talks about his past experience as a band teacher in developing his appreciation for music, ‘Music includes relationship building, working together, and it took a while to convince others that this is important as a core subject, but it is’. Read more.

CEA Ken Spencer Award

The Canadian Education Association is accepting applicants for its eighth annual Ken Spencer Award. This award recognizes creativity and innovation in schools across Canada to shine a spotlight on successful unique approaches to curriculum. Several cash prizes totalling $15,000 will be awarded to the winning schools. For more information click here.

WEM Interview - Tanya Derksen

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 got 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 interviews with a wider view of a woman has transformed from musician to arts leader. Regina Symphony Orchestra Executive Director, Tanya Derksen shares, “Music has given me community, I feel I belong, I feel I thrive, I look forward to working with my colleagues, and it comes down to being a part of that community with passion”. Read more.

Youth4Music Symposium Update

We are working with youth across the country through our Youth4Music Symposiums. On October 1st, we partnered with L'Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). Montreal participants were inspired by keynote speaker David Hodges who talked about his work in First Nations communities and its connection with the four points of our Youth4Music Manifesto.  On October 7th, we partnered with Cape Breton University to host an event with students from the Sydney area. Both Symposiums focussed on setting local action to achieve youth-directed goals from the Manifesto.  As a result, we have newly formed Youth4Music Hubs in both locations! Thank you to our participants, musicians, speakers, hosts, facilitators, and volunteers! Information about symposiums and our new local hubs will be updated on the Youth4Music website in the near future.  

The best part is we continue to host even more symposiums over the next several months. For more information, check our our Facebook page and join us!

Winnipeg Saturday, November 19

Toronto Saturday, November 26

Vancouver Spring 2017

Ottawa Spring 2017

MusiCounts Band Aid Applications

Does your school have passionate students inspired by music but not enough instruments to get the job done? The Band Aid Program applications from MusiCounts are now open! This incredible program provides schools across Canada with the opportunity to receive up to $10,000 in funding instruments for their schools. The application deadline is November 15th, 2016. Click here for more information.

Relationship between Music & Nature

Students in Saskatchewan are exploring the connection between music and nature. Taking place throughout a weekend, students from all over the province came together to write a song about their natural findings near Last Mountain Lake. Songs 4 Nature is a music program which brings students and local songwriters together, to help students find their roots through music. Read more.

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.