This youth-powered initiative issues call for a new anthem
TORONTO, May 5, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, Music Monday, The Coalition for Music Education in Canada celebrated 10 years of this signature program with a live webcast connecting simultaneous events across Canada including a synchronized performance of the song I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing) featuring former Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield and led by Maestro Bramwell Tovey of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
"We have marked an important milestone with Music Monday's 10th Anniversary," said Holly Nimmons, Executive Director, Coalition for Music Education. "Not only has it been an extraordinary celebration, but we have felt the power of music from coast-to-coast as Canadians raised their voices to let the country know that we are passionate and committed to preserving, investing in and protecting music programs in our schools. We congratulate all the amazing volunteers on their success and are thrilled to continue this momentum next year and beyond."
The nationwide event virtually united approximately 350,000 Canadians to help bring awareness to the importance of music education for young people.
"TD loves music - and the power it has to bring people together," said Chris Stamper, Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing, TD Bank Group. "We're excited to be a part of this milestone event and we are proud to support programs such as this that provide youth with opportunities and access to musical education."
The Power of Youth Involvement
This year, youth were involved more than ever, beyond participating in performances and the sing-along. Each event highlighted in the webcast also had a youth host including:
- Two national hosts in Gander, 10th grader Liam Dawson and 11th grader Jessie Downey
- Centennial College student Sierra Jennings (Toronto)
- McGill University student David Peretz-Larochelle (Montreal)
- Yukon College student Daniel Ashley (Whitehorse)
- 8th grader Declan Baker (Edmonton)
- High school student Malcolm Horava (Ottawa)
- 5th graders Katie Shaw (Charlottetown), Coady Turner (Halifax), Mercy Walker (Vancouver)
- B.Mus major Amy Grainer (St. John's)
Each of these young people can attest to the impact that music education has had on their lives, as well as the power of music to empower youth and unite people of different backgrounds and generations. Full bios are available here http://www.musicmonday.ca/youth-hosts/.
Open Call for 2015 Anthem
The Coalition for Music Education in Canada also issued an open call for the next Music Monday anthem to inspire and engage music makers of all backgrounds. The anthem serves as a rallying cry for music education in our schools. Past years' songs have been composed by Luke Doucet, Serena Ryder, Dala and Chris Tait. The most recent song I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing) was written by Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield and Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies, and was co-commissioned by CBCMusic and the Coalition for Music Education in Canada.
Supported by SOCAN (the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada), the winning composer will work with an experienced producer to create a professional audio and video recording that will guide next year's Music Monday celebrations. More information is available at www.musicmonday.ca.
Music Monday 2014 is made possible with the generous support of TD Bank Group and The NAMM Foundation, as well as Titanium level support from Yamaha Canada Music Inc. and Long and McQuade and all of our partners.
ABOUT MUSIC MONDAY
Launched in 2005, Music Monday is the world's largest single event dedicated to raising awareness for music education. Each year, hundreds of thousands of students, educators, and music makers participate in a simultaneous nationwide concert performance of an original song written by a Canadian artist. In 2013, Music Monday extended its reach into space with I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing) co-written by former Canadian Space Agency Astronaut and musician Chris Hadfield and Barenaked Ladies' Ed Robertson, and commissioned by CBCMusic.ca and The Coalition for Music Education. More info: www.musicmonday.ca.
ABOUT THE COALITION FOR MUSIC EDUCATION
Music Monday is an annual initiative of The Coalition for Music Education, an organization made up of parents, students, educators, and business people from varying walks of life who support school music programs and highlight the importance of music education for all young people in Canada. More info: www.musicmakesus.ca.
ABOUT TD COMMUNITY GIVING
TD Bank Group invests in communities in order to effect positive change in the places where it operates and where its clients and employees live and work. In 2013, TD donated over $74.7 million to support community organizations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, TD focuses on education and financial literacy, creating opportunities for young people and the environment. For further information, please visit www.td.com/corporate-responsibility.
Image with caption: "Coalition for Music Education in Canada Music Monday logo. (CNW Group/Coalition for Music Education in Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140505_C6552_PHOTO_EN_39957.jpg
Image with caption: "Canadians representing every region of the country emphasize the importance of music education during 10 Anniversary Music Monday celebrations. (CNW Group/Coalition for Music Education in Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140505_C6552_PHOTO_EN_39937.jpg
SOURCE: Coalition for Music Education in Canada
For further information:
National Media Contact:
Victoria Lord, VLPR Inc. | 416.484.9047 | [email protected]
Media images/b-roll and full press kit available here: MUSIC MONDAY PRESS KIT
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