Music Monday Events Unite Canadians in Celebration of Music Education

Music Monday Events Unite Canadians in Celebration of Music Education

Youth4Music Ambassadors Introduce Manifesto for Sustaining Music in Schools and Communities!

TORONTO, May 2, 2016 /CNW/ - Canada's youth shone brightly today as the nation united their voices in celebration of the importance of music in our lives. Music Monday events took place across the country with concerts, school-wide assemblies, "zone festivals" as well as special presentations including a showcase concert at Toronto's City Hall where Youth4Music Ambassadors introduced a four-point plan for developing meaningful and sustainable music in their schools and communities.

The Youth4Music manifesto was developed during the 1(st) Annual Youth4Music Leadership Symposium by a group of inspiring youth ambassadors from various musical organizations, including Music Canada, Choral Canada, National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and representatives from the music industry. The plan articulates an actionable set of goals for all Canadians.

"For us, this isn't just a plan," said Youth4Music Ambassador George Murga. "This is our call to all Canadians to help us secure a place for music education in our schools and communities. Learning, creating and making music are vital forms of communication and expression for our generation, and we believe it is essential that this is valued in Canada!"

"The wisdom, vision and passion articulated so clearly by these amazing young people is why Music Monday matters," said Holly Nimmons, Executive Director for the Coalition for Music Education in Canada. "Music Monday is about celebrating the power of music in our lives, especially our schools. It is thrilling to share this celebration with music makers who raised their voices across Canada today. It resonated strongly to be in Toronto because they have emphasized music education as one of the key strategies to helping the city become more recognized as one of the world's leading music cities".

"Music is a universal language and has the power to bring people together. Music Monday give young people an opportunity to discover music and build a relationship with it to express themselves. It was great to celebrate the power of music in our city by bringing Music Monday to the steps of Toronto City Hall," said Mayor John Tory.

"The Government of Canada is proud to invest in this project and celebrate Music Monday with thousands of young Canadians in all regions of the country. We are pleased to help our youth better understand Canada and participate in the life of their community through music," said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

"TD is delighted to help youth discover a passion for music by supporting the Coalition of Music Education," said Alan Convery, Director, Community Relations, TD Bank Group. "Music has the power to move us, teach us, and connect us to affect positive change and strengthen communities. Youth across Canada celebrated music through Music Monday and TD is thrilled to support this important cause."

Over the past 12 years over 6.3 million people have registered to take part in Music Monday celebrations, including 200,000 Canadians of all ages who sang today at over 740 registered events across the country from Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Summerside, to St.John's.

Music Monday is made possible with the generous support of TD Bank Group, Canadian Heritage, Youth Take Charge and the NAMM Foundation as well as Titanium level support from Yamaha Canada Music Inc., Long and McQuade and all of our partner organizations.

For a full list of sponsors please http://www.musicmonday.ca/sponsors/

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ABOUT MUSIC MONDAY
Music Monday is a signature program of the Coalition for Music Education. It is Canada's nationwide celebration of the power of music in our lives, especially our schools. Music Monday is the only national celebration of music education that actively engages children and youth in their schools and communities. The first Monday in May (this year, May 2, 2016) music makers of all generations and genres gather in their schools and communities to make music, and at the same time during the day we join with one voice, by singing the official Music Monday anthem for a simultaneous nation-wide sing-along.

ABOUT YOUTH4MUSIC
Youth4Music is a network of youth who are passionate about music in their lives - learning, appreciating, creating and making music. Youth4Music provides a platform for youth voices, and leadership opportunities for youth to make a difference for music in their schools and communities. The program is "for youth - by youth - through music." More info: Youth4Music.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 CANADIAN HERITAGE FUNDING
The Government of Canada is providing funding of $100,000 to The Coalition for Music Education for Youth4Music through the Youth Take Charge program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This project will allow more than 300,000 young people aged 7 to 30 from across Canada to take part in music-related events in 2016-2017. By supporting youth engagement through music, the Government provides opportunities for young Canadians to become involved in a range of activities designed to strengthen their attachment to Canada through active commitment in their communities.

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 2015, TD donated more than $92.5 million to 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.

SOURCE Coalition for Music Education in Canada

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Coalition for Music Education in Canada

CONTACT: Media Contact: Victoria Lord, 416.484.9047 or victoria@vlpr.com

Web Site: www.musicmakesus.ca


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