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It’s Official! Copyright in Canada Extended to 70 Years for Sound Recordings

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Music Canada is pleased to announce that the Budget, the Economic Action Plan 2015, has received royal assent and is now law. We applaud the Government of Canada for the inclusion of copyright term extension. With the passing of this bill, the term of copyright for sound recordings has been extended from 50 to 70 years. This brings Canada’s copyright term for sound recordings in line with the international standard, protecting works of vital importance to many Canadian artists.

A copyright term of 70 years will mean that artists and other rights holders retain control of their sound recordings and can profit from them into their elder years. Without term extension for sound recordings, the early works of Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, and Anne Murray would have been in public domain over the next five years.

“I’m still releasing albums but my fans love my older songs. Thanks to the federal government for the recent legislation. Its passage will make sure the sun doesn’t go down on my early songs,” says Gordon Lightfoot.

For younger artists, additional profits derived by rights holders from older recordings will be reinvested in developing artists. The music industry is second to none in terms of reinvestment in new talent, with over 28% of revenue reinvested in 2014.

“In extending the term of copyright in recorded music, Prime Minister Harper and the Government of Canada have demonstrated a real understanding of music’s importance to the Canadian economy. Thank you. We are thrilled to see Canada brought in line with the international standard of 70 years.” says Graham Henderson, President of Music Canada.

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“New Music Fridays” Are Coming: Global Release Day Launches July 10th

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For music fans across the world, Fridays are set to become the day for newly-released music.

July 10th, 2015, will see the introduction of “New Music Fridays”, an aligned global release day for new music. The move, implemented by labels, retailers and artists internationally, means that fans in many countries will no longer have to wait for days to get access to newly-released tracks and albums.

Up until now, music has been released on different days of the week in various countries – from Mondays in markets such as France and the UK, through Tuesdays in the US and Canada and to Fridays in markets such as Australia and Germany. That will change on July 10th when new music will be released on Fridays at 00:01 local time around the world.

The move will mean fans can now get new music on the same day worldwide rather than having to wait for their own national release day. It puts an end to fans being unable to access music in their own country when it is legally available elsewhere, and the frustration that can cause.

Think new music…Think Friday

“New Music Fridays” are an opportunity for artists and labels to maximize awareness of newly-released music. Whatever country they are in, fans will now know – Friday is not just the start of the weekend – it’s the day for new music. This can help create more excitement and a sense of occasion around the release of new albums and singles.

With just one month to go before “New Music Fridays” takes effect, today sees the unveiling of the ‘New Music Fridays’ brand that will accompany the move. It will be available in more than 10 leading languages worldwide.

Consumers looking for information on the switch to a Friday release day can visit www.newmusicfridays.com which has all the details of the changes taking place.

Switchover plan

The preparations for the switchover to “New Music Fridays” have involved record companies, distributors and retailers working together to reconfigure their supply chains and marketing practices. At the same time, music charts in individual countries are changing so that they align with the new international release day.

The move to “New Music Fridays” will take place in more than 45 recorded music markets worldwide.. Of these, only 11 countries currently release music on Fridays, while the others will switch the day that new albums and singles become available.

The switch to global “New Music Fridays” has been overseen by an international steering group made up of the following organizations:

  • IFPI, representing some 1,300 record labels worldwide;
  • WIN-Impala, representing independent record labels worldwide
  • FIM, representing musicians’ unions and associations globally
  • Featured Artists Coalition representing UK performers;
  • Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA) (UK),
  • Music Biz (US)

For further information on “New Music Fridays”, see our overview page or go to www.newmusicfridays.com.

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‘Music Cities’ Report Sets Out Roadmap To Economic Growth

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Cannes, France, June 5, 2015: Recording industry groups IFPI and Music Canada have today released a new report that sets out how cities worldwide can take simple steps to help develop their music economies.

The Mastering of a Music City was launched at Midem, the world’s largest music industry conference.

The report provides a simple checklist to help local authorities, businesses, community groups and the creative sector capitalise on the potential of music to build, grow and strengthen their cities.

It cites examples from 22 cities from all continents to explain what a music city is, why it is beneficial, and – critically – the most effective strategies and policies that can be implemented to nurture active music hubs.

Graham Henderson, President and CEO, Music Canada, says: “A vibrant music sector delivers an extensive array of social, cultural and economic benefits to its community; from job creation and retention to city identity and music tourism, to social cohesion, music can play an essential role.”  

“Communities of any size, anywhere in the world, can assess the extent to which they have the essential ingredients for a Music City, and deploy the strategies successfully used in the likes of Nashville, Melbourne, Toronto, Berlin and other renowned Music Cities, in order to enhance or grow theirs. These strategies don’t necessarily require heavy investment – addressing red tape and establishing dialogue between leaders in the music community and city officials are inexpensive ways to grow music’s contributions.”

The Mastering of a Music City has identified recommendations in seven strategic areas that are an effective means to grow and strengthen a city’s music economy:

  1. Music and musician-friendly policies, from licensing and liquor laws to parking and planning regulations to affordable housing and artist entrepreneur training.
  1. The creation of Music Offices to help musicians and music businesses navigate the broad range of government policies and regulations that impact music.
  1. The formulation of Music Advisory Boards to engage the broader music community in a collaborative way and to facilitate dialogue with city governments.
  1. Engaging the broader music community to ensure the people most affected by music policies are involved and informed.
  1. Access to spaces and places for artists to practice, record, and perform at every stage of their career.
  1. A focus on audience development, ensuring that there is an engaged and passionate audience for local musicians as well as international touring artists, now and into the future.
  1. Music tourism or the development of a Music City brand to leverage a thriving live music scene, rich music history, or large music festivals in order to reap the significant benefits associated with music.

In addition, multi-level government support for music, a broader city infrastructure conducive to the sector, music education programmes and efforts to highlight music history and identity are important.

Frances Moore, Chief Executive, IFPI, comments: “We’re delighted to be a partner in the Music Cities project, and we will work with our affiliates in 57 countries to spread the good work that Music Canada has been doing elsewhere in the world. They will be taking this report into City Halls worldwide, recognising that each place has different needs and priorities, but urging leaders to seize the common advantages offered by a growing music economy.

“We realise this will benefit the recording industry too, and that is the other reason we are co-sponsoring the report. Our job at IFPI is to improve the environment in which our member companies operate and this is one way that we can do that. Just imagine a world where you can go from country to country and find music cities in every one. That would be good for artists, good for record companies, good for city leaders and good for the wider public that just wants to enjoy great music.”

The Mastering of a Music City was produced after more than 40 interviews with music leaders, city and tourism officials, international focus groups and secondary research. It cites best practices and case studies from 22 cities. IFPI’s affiliated national groups will share the report globally to assist municipal leaders and other stakeholders to develop local music strategies.

Download Report

About IFPI:
IFPI is the organisation that promotes the interests of the international recording industry worldwide. Its membership comprises some 1,300 major and independent companies in 62 countries. It also has affiliated industry groups in 57 countries. IFPI’s mission is to promote the value of recorded music, campaign for record producer rights and expand the commercial uses of recorded music in all markets where its members operate.

About Music Canada:
Music Canada is a non-profit trade organization that represents the major record companies in Canada, namely Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada. Music Canada also works with some of the leading independent record labels and distributors, recording studios, live music venues, concert promoters, managers and artists in the promotion and development of the music cluster.

For more information, contact:

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Music Canada Applauds Premier Wynne and the Ontario Government on the Passage of the 2015 Provincial Budget

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Today we applaud Premier Wynne and the Ontario Government on the passage of the 2015 Provincial Budget.

We are especially pleased by the extension of the Ontario Music Fund, a decision that solidifies a commitment to one of the province’s biggest assets: our music industry. The OMF not only stimulates Ontario’s economy through increased activity, it draws foreign direct investment, assists in the growth of live music, and places a focus on music tourism in the province.

Developed in 2013, the Ontario Music Fund began as a three-year commitment of $45 million dollars, which has now been made permanent through the passage of the 2015 budget. In its most recent round, the Ontario Music Fund awarded $14 million dollars in grants to 123 recipients from across a wide-range of music activities happening in the province.

“The extension of the Ontario Music Fund solidifies a commitment to economic growth in the province through targeted support to one of the province’s competitive advantages – music. The OMF not only helps music businesses large and small to produce, distribute, promote and stage a diverse array of artists but in doing so, it signals to Canada and the rest of the world that music matters in Ontario,” says Graham Henderson. “Investing in music is investing in Ontario – our members have invested $3.5 million in recording projects over the last two years that have since been completed in Ontario. The OMF is raising our provincial profile as a destination for home-grown and international talent.”

Since its inception, the Ontario Music Fund has helped create or retain 2,000 jobs and has produced $24 million in additional revenue for music-related businesses. We are thrilled to see these results continue over time as Ontario becomes a true music destination for consumers and creators alike.

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Music Canada Commends The Ontario Government For Extending the Ontario Music Fund

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Toronto, April 23, 2015 – Music Canada applauds the Ontario Government for continuing to invest in one of the province’s competitive advantages, the music industry.

“The Ontario Music Fund firmly places music at the forefront of Ontario’s economic development and has increased substantially the amount of high-value work being done in the Province of Ontario,” says Graham Henderson. “The OMF is a competitive advantage no other province has. Music’s role as a cultural powerhouse, economic driver, job creator, investment stimulus, tourism asset, and community builder has been reaffirmed with today’s OMF extension.”

The Ontario Music Fund has succeeded in stimulating increased economic activity, foreign direct investment, growth of live music production and a focus on music tourism. Over the last two years, the OMF has generated private investment dollars to match the government investment dollar to dollar.

“Our members alone have invested over $3.5 Million in recording projects over the last two years that have resulted in projects being completed in Ontario that would have been bound for other provinces or the U.S., generating significant employment and raising the profile of our talented professionals here in this province,” adds Henderson.

Highlights include:

  • The recording of The Tenors’ latest album with 80 members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, generating additional opportunities for performance and collaboration between these music ensembles;
  • A Walk Off The Earth recording that would have been done in the U.S. but instead employed two Ontario producers and generated an estimated 1700 work hours;
  • The recording of Scott Helman’s debut EP “Augusta” and production of supporting videos has helped to launch a career. Since the release of “Augusta”, Scott has seen a drastic increase in his following across social media platforms and has toured Ontario with Colin James, played We Day in Ottawa for 17,000 fans, signed on with The Paradigm Agency for the U.S. territory, and hired Azoff Music Management to guide his career;
  • The production of numerous music videos including the Fall Out Boy video for “Centuries” that employed close to 90 music video professionals for two days and funneled production costs to the historic shooting location at Fort Henry.

Renewal of the Ontario Music Fund comes just a few weeks after Premier Wynne announced the recipients of the second round of funding at an event a Coalition Music in Toronto, saying “music moves the earth.”

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For more information:
Quentin Burgess – Manager of Digital Media, Music Canada
qburgess@musiccanada.com 647-981-8410

Music Canada is a non-profit trade organization that represents the major record companies in Canada, namely Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada. Music Canada also works with some of the leading independent record labels and distributors, recording studios, live music venues, concert promoters, managers and artists in the promotion and development of the music cluster.

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Term Extension Benefits Canadian Artists, Music Companies and the Economy: Music Canada

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Ottawa/Toronto, April 21, 2015 – Music Canada applauds the Government of Canada’s 2015 Budget for announcing the intention to amend the term of copyright for sound recordings from 50 to 70 years.

“By proposing to extend the term of copyright in recorded music, Prime Minister Harper and the Government of Canada have demonstrated a real understanding of music’s importance to the Canadian economy. Thank you. We look forward to seeing the full details when the Budget Implementation Act is tabled,” says Graham Henderson, President of Music Canada.

“With each passing day, Canadian treasures like Universal Soldier by Buffy Sainte-Marie are lost to the public domain. This is not in the public interest. It does not benefit the creator or their investors and it will have an adverse impact on the Canadian economy,” adds Henderson.

Leonard Cohen reinforces the urgency of the problem, “In just a few short years, songs we recorded in the late 1960s will no longer have copyright protection in Canada. Many of us in our 70’s and 80’s depend on income from these songs for our livelihood. We would deeply appreciate any adjustment that would avert a financial disaster in our lives.”

This change will rectify the long-standing competitive disadvantage that Canadian artists and Canadian music has had by not being aligned with our international trading partners. A 70 year term of copyright has become the norm internationally. More than 60 countries worldwide protect copyright in sound recordings for a term of 70 years or longer, including all of Europe, the U.S., and Australia. Across Europe, Canadian artists are denied the full 70 year term of protection due to Canada’s shorter term of protection.

“The world has changed since our original copyright laws were drafted,” says Bruce Cockburn. “Every piece of music is, at least theoretically, with us forever. Extending the copyright term is an eminently sensible response to this new situation, and a welcome one!”

“I support extending the length of copyright for sound recordings in Canada to 70+ years,” adds Jim Cuddy.  “The copyright of a creative work should not expire in the lifetime of an author.”

Term extension fosters increased investment in new artists. With a significant average annual investment by music companies of over 28% of revenues in developing talent, the next generation of performing artists will benefit from this copyright amendment now and well into the future.

“I’m glad that Canada has extended our copyright term, so we can continue to use the proceeds from classic Canadian recordings to invest in great Canadian talent,” said Kardinal Offishall.

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For more information:
Quentin Burgess – Manager of Digital Media, Music Canada
qburgess@musiccanada.com 647-981-8410

Music Canada is a non-profit trade organization that represents the major record companies in Canada, namely Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada. Music Canada also works with some of the leading independent record labels and distributors, recording studios, live music venues, concert promoters, managers and artists in the promotion and development of the music cluster.

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Music Canada Proud to Support 44th Annual JUNO Awards

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Music Canada is proud to return as the sponsor of the Album of the Year Award at the 44th Annual JUNO Awards.

“One constant among all the changes in the ways that we listen to music is the concept of an album, which remains the definitive statement of an artist’s creativity. An album is more than a collection of songs; it establishes an artist’s commercial and public presence. The album is the core of all of the activities that allow a performing artist to make a living, underpinning touring, merchandise, and licensing,” said Graham Henderson, President of Music Canada. “A successful album has a ripple effect that sets many layers of employment into motion, creating momentum for a tour or video shoots, which provide activity for agents and promoters, venue operators and sound technicians, and more.”

At Music Canada we are proud to work alongside the record labels who invest in great Canadian artists like those nominated for the Album of the Year Award, who support artists’ creative development, and who help bring their talents to the world.

The Album of the Year Award will be presented at The 2015 JUNO Awards Broadcast on CTV at Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre on Sunday, March 15th.

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Study of Live Music in Ontario Launched: Measuring Live Music – Stand Up and Be Counted!

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Toronto, October 15, 2014: Music Canada is announcing the launch of a province-wide study of the live music industry entitled Measuring Live Music.

This economic impact study will provide never-before-calculated data and information about the live music industry in Ontario that will:

  • Identify strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats facing the live music community;
  • Provide the live music community with a critical tool that will assist individual and cooperative efforts to grow the industry;
  • Inform future government policy decisions and initiatives; and,
  • Provide benchmarks for future measurement and tracking.

“We know that live music is an essential piece of our music story in Ontario and yet, no one has truly tried to capture the extent of its impact on our economy, workforce and communities,” says Graham Henderson, President of Music Canada. “We’re excited to be working together in order to fill this void at a time when the live music community is itself launching a national association, Music Canada Live, which will benefit from this type of information.”

A previous Canada-wide study developed for Music Canada suggested that, based on Statistics Canada data, in 2010 live music performances generated $455 million in revenues and contributed $252 million to the Canadian economy.

However, to date, there exist no similar measures for Ontario – this study represents the first time that anyone has measured the overall size and importance of Ontario’s live music industry to the economy.

Music Canada has engaged Nordicity to conduct the economic impact study through the administration of an online survey, and one-on-one interviews. The study is being undertaken in consultation with a wide range of live music industry stakeholders and through the support of the Government of Ontario’s Ontario Music Fund.

 

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For more information:

Quentin Burgess – Music Canada

qburgess@musiccanada.com
If you think you should to be counted but haven’t received the survey, contact Mila from Nordicity at mdecheftweddle@nordicity.com

Music Canada is a non-profit trade organization that represents the major record companies in Canada, namely Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada. Music Canada also works with some of the leading independent record labels and distributors, recording studios, live music venues, concert promoters, managers and artists in the promotion and development of the music cluster.

 

 

 

POUR PUBLICATION IMMÉDIATE

Lancement du sondage ontarien Mesurer la musique en direct – Debout pour le décompte !

Toronto, le 15 octobre 2014 : Music Canada annonce le lancement officiel du questionnaire d’une étude d’impact économique de la musique en direct en Ontario intitulée Mesurer la musique en direct.

Cette enquête permettra de recueillir pour la toute première fois un ensemble de données sur l’industrie de la musique en direct de l’Ontario aux fins suivantes :

  • Identifier les forces, les faiblesses, les opportunités et les menaces actuelles dans le domaine de la présentation de musique en direct à travers la province ;
  • Fournir à la communauté de la musique en direct un outil appelé à jouer un rôle essentiel dans le développement d’efforts individuels et collectifs visant à assurer la croissance de l’industrie ;
  • Obtenir des statistiques sur lesquelles le gouvernement pourra se baser dans ses décisions politiques et initiatives futures ; et
  • Permettre la réalisation d’analyses comparatives avec de futures initiatives de mesure et de suivi.

« Nous savons tous que la musique en direct est une composante essentielle de l’activité musicale ontarienne, mais personne n’a encore vraiment essayé d’en évaluer les impacts sur notre économie, notre population active et nos collectivités », a affirmé Graham Henderson, président de Music Canada. « Nous sommes heureux d’aider à combler cette lacune alors que la communauté de la musique en direct se regroupe au sein d’une nouvelle association, Music Canada Live, qui bénéficiera grandement des informations recueillies dans le cadre de notre sondage. »

Une enquête précédente menée à la grandeur du pays pour le compte de Music Canada suggérait que, d’après les données de Statistique Canada, les concerts en direct ont généré des revenus de 455 millions $ en 2010 et rapporté 252 millions $ à l’économie canadienne.

Présentement, toutefois, il n’existe aucun système de mesure des impacts de la musique en direct en Ontario, si bien que la présente enquête sera la toute première à permettre d’évaluer la taille de l’industrie de la musique en direct en Ontario et son importance pour l’économie de la province.

Music Canada a retenu les services de Nordicity pour réaliser cette étude d’impact économique ainsi qu’une série d’entrevues individuelles. L’étude est réalisée en consultation avec de nombreuses parties prenantes de l’industrie de la musique en direct et grâce au soutien du Fonds ontarien de promotion de la musique du gouvernement de l’Ontario.

 

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Pour plus d’informations :

Quentin Burgess – Music Canada

qburgess@musiccanada.com

 

Si vous désirez participer à cette enquête, mais n’avez pas reçu le questionnaire, veuillez contacter Mila chez Nordicity au mdecheftweddle@nordicity.com.

Music Canada est une association professionnelle à but non lucratif qui représente les grandes maisons de disques canadiennes, notamment Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada et Warner Music Canada. Music Canada collabore également avec de nombreuses entreprises indépendantes – maisons de disques et distributeurs, studios d’enregistrement, salles de spectacles, diffuseurs de concerts, gérants et artistes – à la promotion et au développement du secteur musical.

 

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Artists & Music Companies Support Re:Sound Application for Judicial Review of Copyright Board Tariff 8 Decision

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ARTISTS & MUSIC COMPANIES SUPPORT RE:SOUND APPLICATION FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF COPYRIGHT BOARD TARIFF 8 DECISION


Monday, June 16, 2014 (Toronto, ON) – We, the undersigned, firmly support Re:Sound’s Application for Judicial Review of the Copyright Board’s Tariff 8 decision setting royalty rates for webcasting services in Canada.

The Tariff 8 decision is a serious setback for the music community in Canada, for artists and the music companies who invest in their careers. The decision discards years of agreements freely negotiated between digital music service providers and the music industry and sets rates for music webstreaming services in Canada that are less than 10% of the rates that the same services pay in the United States and many other countries. The Board set the rates based on what it considered to be “fair and equitable”, but in doing so, discarded existing market rates at which digital music service providers had been operating in Canada.

The Board’s decision comes as the result of an inherently flawed system that lacks clear criteria for rate-setting and allows the Board to reject market rates. The Board had no statutory or regulatory obligation to take into account existing agreements on webcasting royalties that have been successfully negotiated between the music industry and its business partners for these services. The resulting rates ignore international standards that support the growth and development of the industry in the world marketplace. Canada, in fact, stands alone among its major trading partners – including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands – in its adherence to a mandatory tribunal process that determines royalties without regard for what currently works in the marketplace.

It is clear that a legislative framework that ignores the reality of the marketplace is one that will continue to harm the business climate and create market uncertainty, delaying the entry of new services into the Canadian marketplace. Indeed, many of the Copyright Board’s decisions on major new tariffs have been the subject of Judicial Review by the Federal Court of Appeal, creating years of delay and uncertainty.

From 1999-2012, Canadian recorded music sales decreased by more than 50%. Establishing rates in Canada that are reflective of both market and international rates is critical for Canadian artists whose livelihood depends on earning a decent living wage from their profession, for music companies who actively develop and nurture Canadian talent throughout the world, and for all Canadians who value a healthy and prosperous music industry.

Adagio Music
Alberta Music
Analekta
Aporia Records
Aqua Sound Entertainment
Association québécoise de l’industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la video (ADISQ)
Audiogram
Awesome Music
Boompa Records
Boonsdale Records
Borealis Records
Canadian Council of Music Industry Associations (CCMIA)
Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM)
Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA)
C-Weed Band
Coalition Music
La Compagnie Larivée Cabot Champagne
Cordova Bay Entertainment Group
Crystal Math Music Group
Curve Music
Dare To Care
Dine Alone Records
Disques Artic
Equator Music
File Under:Music
Greg Kavanagh Music
Groundswell Music
Independent Digital Licensing Agency
Instinct Musique
Justin Time Records
Linus Entertainment
Manitoba Music
Maple Music Recordings
Marquis
MDM Recordings
Mr. Label
Music and Film in Motion
Music BC Industry Association
Music Canada
Music/Musique NB (MNB)
Music Newfoundland & Labrador (Music NL)
Music Nova Scotia
Music Ontario
Music Prince Edward Island
Music Yukon
Nettwerk Music Group
Opak Media
Paper Bag Records
Passeport
Play Records/Play Digital
Productions Benannah
Royalty Records
Remedy Music
SaskMusic (The Saskatchewan Recording Industry Association)
Secret City Records
Six Shooter Records
Sonic Envy
Sonic Records
Sonic Unyon
Sony Music Entertainment Canada
Sparks Music
SRO-Anthem
Stomp Records
Stony Plain Records
The Children’s Group
Tonic Records
True North Records
Universal Music Canada
URBNET Records
Warner Music Canada
Wax Records

MEDIA CONTACTS:

 

Lisa Fiorilli
CIMA
(416) 274-2666		 Valérie Roy
ADISQ
(514) 842-5147 ext. 290		 Kate Ward
Music Canada
(647) 825-5260
Bob D’Eith
CCMIA
(604) 873-1914		 Victoria Lord
CFM (VLPR Inc.)
(416) 484-9047

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National music organizations join voices to oppose cuts to VSB music programs

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National music organizations join voices to oppose cuts to VSB music programs

The Coalition for Music Education, Music Canada and MusiCounts believe in the importance of music education for all young people in schools. We are joining our voices together to urge the Vancouver School Board (VSB) to withdraw the proposal to cut elementary band and strings programs. Don’t take instruments out of the hands of children. Keep providing a comprehensive education that includes quality music instruction for all students, taught by individuals with a background and training in music. Music is not an expendable area of study. We strongly disagree with any reduction to music in schools and ask – what is the VSB’s vision and plan to maintain quality music programs in VSB schools for all students?

Research has proven that music education provides far-reaching benefits to the lives of young Canadians, to our communities and to our culture. We believe that decisions minimizing any aspect of the VSB’s music program will have a long-term negative impact on the lives of Vancouver students and on the community.

 

Music is essential to education and to life.

Music education:

  • teaches students to think creatively and critically,
  • develops skills that are essential in the 21st century workforce,
  • opens students’ minds to diverse perspectives and thinking,
  • bridges languages, cultures and generations,
  • unites us through shared experiences,
  • enriches our sense of beauty and imagination, and
  • supports student success.

 

The Coalition for Music Education annually celebrates the importance of learning music in our schools through a national event titled Music Monday. Last year’s Showcase Concert included a live link with Commander Hadfield in the International Space Station and this year’s Showcase will include a special event in Vancouver. “Everybody should be learning music. Music opens doors. And music stimulates the brain. Music helps organize and even wire your brain…Music education is really important in life. It’s a wonderful and applicable skill that only makes you a more capable human – We should all learn music.” – Chris Hadfield

Music Canada has identified music education as one of five critical components for the development of the music industry in Canada and an essential stimulant for a vibrant music scene which leads to great community impacts including increased tourism, job growth and business investment. “ There is vast evidence that music education contributes to the broader development of young minds and more well-rounded citizens,” says Graham Henderson, President of Music Canada. “Music is a great equalizer, bridging all cultures, and languages.”

MusiCounts is helping keep music alive in our schools. MusiCounts has awarded nearly $7 million in grants and scholarships to schools and communities in Canada. MusiCounts’ mission is to ensure that children in Canada, regardless of socio-economic circumstances or cultural background, have access to a music program through their school. “Every child deserves the opportunity to experience and benefit from playing an instrument.” says Allan Reid, Director, MusiCounts “Music can and does change lives.”

We urge decision-makers to maintain elementary band and strings programs in the VSB.

About the Coalition for Music Education:

The Coalition for Music Education works to raise awareness and understanding of the role music education plays in Canadian Culture, and to promote the benefits music education brings to young people. We envision Canada as a country where the lives of all children are enriched by quality school music programs, and where their active participation in music is valued and supported in our communities.

For more information about the Coalition, please visitMusicMakesUs

 

For more information contact:

Holly Nimmons, Executive Director
(416) 371-6486 | holly@musicmakesus.ca

About Music Canada:

Music Canada is a non-profit trade organization founded in 1964 that promotes the interests of its members as well as their partners, the artists. Music Canada is a passionate advocate for music and those who create it. Music Canada also works closely with recording studios, live music venues, concert promoters, awards programs and managers in the promotion and development of the music cluster.

For more information about Music Canada, please visitMusic Canada

For more information, contact:

Amy Terrill, Vice-President, Public Affairs
(647) 963-6044 | aterrill@musiccanada.com

 

 

About MusiCounts:

MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity associated with The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), is helping to keep music alive in schools across Canada. MusiCounts’ mission is to ensure that children in Canada, regardless of socio-economic circumstances or cultural background, have access to a music program through their school. MusiCounts includes Band Aid musical instrument grants, the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, Scholarships, and other music education initiatives.

For more information about MusiCounts, please visitMusiCounts

For more information, contact:

Allan Reid, Director
(416) 485-3135 ext 228 | allan@musicounts.ca

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