Chris Hadfield & Bramwell Tovey lead nationwide singalong for Music Monday 10th Anniversary
On Monday May 5, 2014, students from coast to coast took part in the 10th Anniversary of Music Monday, an annual event that brings together thousands of children, musicians, parents and community members to celebrate the gift of music in our lives. Launched by the Coalition For Music Education in 2005, Music Monday unites communities and schools across Canada by singing one piece of music on the same day at the same time.
Beginning in Gander, NL with co-hosts Jessie Downey and Liam Dawson, the Music Monday webcast brought participants to various towns and schools across Canada to watch their unique individual performances.
During Toronto, ON’s festivities at the Ontario Science Centre, Music Canada’s Amy Terrill, VP Public Affairs, provided remarks calling for a commitment to a developing a national music education strategy, which can be viewed below:
In a statement in the House Of Commons on May 5, MP Andrew Cash (Davenport, NDP) emphasized that music education “helps young people to see the world in a broader way” and “access to a music education should not be left to just luck and chance.” Cash’s full statement can be viewed here.
MP Rick Dykstra (St. Catherines, CPC) also spoke, stating, “I invite everyone to tune in and enjoy this great day as we celebrate the impact of music on Canada and the impact Canadian music has on the world.” Dykstra’s full statement can be seen here.
At around 12:55 PM EST, participants sang along with Astronaut Chris Hadfield in Edmonton and Maestro Bramwell Tovey in Vancouver to “I.S.S (Is Somebody Singing)”, a song penned by Hadfield for last year’s event.
The song’s co-writer, Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies, appeared from Tuscany to announce next year’s event in Montreal, QC. Robertson also announced that next year, in partnership with the SOCAN, Music Monday is inviting any interested Canadians to submit their song ideas for 2015.
Using the hashtag #MM10, participants shared photos of their Music Monday experiences via Twitter and Facebook. A collection of tweets can be seen below:
Singing along with @BramwellTovey, @Cmdr_Hadfield and all of Canada, courtesy of @MemorialU fantastic webcast. #MM10 pic.twitter.com/swtX40rf4Q
— Music Canada (@Music_Canada) May 5, 2014
The human piano is now happening at #MM10. #science #conductivity pic.twitter.com/0eC7E2TtYZ
— OntarioScienceCentre (@OntScienceCtr) May 5, 2014
Harbour View students singing the Harbour View song to open Music Monday! pic.twitter.com/q62nL5LvIT
— HRSB (@HRSB_Official) May 5, 2014
Adrienne Carr, Deputy Mayor of Vancouver proclaiming May 5th Music Monday! Did you know she has ARCT in piano? #MM10 pic.twitter.com/FWv6gFmBK5
— CMEBC (@cmebc) May 5, 2014
Music Canada