| Music Monday Sets New Records |
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One of the purposes of Music Monday is to demonstrate the breadth of support for music in our schools. Being able to track the numbers involved is important. Our thanks to Ticketmaster Canada for joining our other sponsors, the NAMM Foundation, Roland Canada Music and Yamaha Music Canada, for providing tangible rewards for schools taking part this year. Mark your calendars for May 2, 2011 for the seventh annual Music Monday. Click Here to see the 10 schools that won $2500 grants towards their music programs. The Showcase Concert in Vancouver was a terrific success and served as a wonderful symbol for the hundreds of events celebrating music education around the country. Next year, our Showcase Concert will be in Winnipeg! |
| Letter from the Executive Director |
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Our thanks as well to the many principals and administrators who took time to respond to our National Music in Schools survey. Your voice is so important as we work to understand the many challenges, and opportunities, facing music programs in our schools.
The Coalition will be busy over the summer analyzing the data from the survey, redesigning our website, improving communications with our many stakeholders, getting ready for a new Champions launch and a new Music Monday song! |
| Coalition News |
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*Music In Our Schools Survey: The 2010 Music in Schools Survey officially closed on May 31. Thanks to everyone who took part in this important research.. The data will be analyzed over the summer. A full report will be available in the Fall of 2010. *Haiti Relief Donation Update: You may recall that the Coalition decided to donate the membership fees received in February and March to the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund. This initiative raised $1,170. Of course it's never too late to support the Haiti Relief Fund - or to become a member of the Coalition. |
| For Your Information |
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*Unesco Report on Arts Education in Canada: The results of a report commissioned by the Council of Ministers of Education (CMEC) are now available. They offer a marvellous mosaic of arts education achievements in Canada and a thoughtful reflection on the challenges faced by those who value arts as part of a well-rounded education.
The report can be found on the website of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO in both English and French.*View a webcast of The Canadian Symposium on Arts and Learning: The Symposium was held in December 2009 in Toronto. Webcasts are now available of the keynote presentations by Dr. Ann Bamford, Director of the Engine Room at the University of the Arts London, England, speaking on research into the impact of arts education and Dan Baron Cohen, Chair of the World Alliance for Arts Education, speaking on building effective networks in arts education. Click Here. |
| Save These Dates |
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Coalition Events
MEA Conferences |
| Stay in Touch |
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Keep in touch this summer via Facebook and Twitter. |
A record number of schools registered for Music Monday 2010 – and not just in Canada. Schools across the USA joined in with registrants from Belgium, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Ireland, Nigeria and Qatar to spread the word on a truly international scale! Please visit 
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En Français |
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The Advocacy Column |
| Action Alert |
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The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) recently announced they will have to cut up to 165 positions (including teachers) as a result of a significant funding shortfall. Save our Fine Arts has learned this will likely mean the reduction of up to 4 teachers per school. Read More. |
| Updates |
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Despite considerable input from parents and others at school board meetings, as well as a number of student events that captured the attention of the media, the popular band-and-strings program in the Vancouver School District (VSB) remains under threat. Read More. |
| Advocacy Ideas & Tips |
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*Walter Lemiski at Middlebury P.S. in Mississauga writes a column in the monthly school newsletter where he discusses the latest music research and student achievement *Involve other teachers in the administration of your larger ensembles or productions. This helps to build the profile of music in your school, as well as creating strong staff music advocates Read More (from an article by Mary Ann Fratia). |
| Students' Perspectives |
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"The benefits of quality music education are endless, which is what every student deserves. I honestly believe that if every student received a basic instrumental education taught by certified and passionate teachers, the academic potential of students in Ontario would be exceptional. Music education is a tool for success and all students should be able to carry music education survival packs. I have been blessed with probably one of the best music educations in Ontario." -Stacey Murie is a self professed "band geek" at Cawthra Park Secondary School. Read her letters to the Ontario Minister of Education and Premier as well as her Student Advocacy Article by Clicking Here. "Music education is one of the things that keeps me sane in school. I look forward to going to school everyday just so that I can hang out in the Music room and socialize with amazing people that have become closer than family to me. My teacher, Jessica McKay deserves so much recognition for being a pure, wholesome person. She shows up and never has a bad attitude. And of all of the students she has taught since she started teaching 4 years ago, she remembers every single one of their first names, as well as personal aspects about them. She does an outstanding job at unifying our school and students, and motivating me throughout every day of my life. " -Jake McBean, Lambton Central Collegiate, Petrolia, Ontario |
| Advocacy Resources |
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Start the new school year building support in your parent and school communities by distributing the following brochures. We suggest following up with a brainstorming session after you've handed these out to discuss a possible action plan. We'll send them to you FREE * (*reasonable quantities) AND we'll even pay for shipping up to $50.00. |
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