Music students at St. Elizabeth Elementary School in Ottawa received a huge surprise today. A $10,000 surprise delivered by Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, Juno representatives, CARAS representatives, and three-time Juno nominated Ruth B in the form of brand new musical instruments. A great lead up to the Junos this weekend.
Ruth B is up for the 2017 Juno Fan Choice award this coming Sunday. She shared with the group of excited children that music has always been a part of her life, especially in school. Ruth B encouraged students to keep on practicing, even when they don’t want to, and to chase their dreams. Ruth B thrilled the crowded gymnasium by singing “Lost Boy” and her latest single “Superficial Love”.
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau said “You are not the leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today. We are all the same through music.” Sophie shared a cute story about how she begged for a piano as a birthday gift. She must have begged a lot because the piano showed up out front of her family home in Montreal. The piano movers tried to get the piano in the front door and it did not fit. The piano movers tried to get the piano in the back door and it did not fit. And that is why Sophie plays the flute, and continues to play to this day.
The surprise gift is a part of the MusiCounts Band Aid Program that provides school music programs in need with musical instruments and equipment. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the program and to celebrate MusiCounts will distribute $720,000 in instruments to 88 music programs in schools across Canada. 2017 will be the largest instrument allocation through the MusiCounts Band Aid Program to date.
MusiCounts is Canada’s music education charity and is affiliated with CARAS and the Juno Awards
MusiCounts’ mission is to ensure that all children and youth in Canada have access to music education.
MusiCounts celebrates musical excellence and puts musical instruments into the hands of kids who need them the most.
To date, the program has distributed nearly $8 million in instruments and equipment to hundreds of school music programs in need nationwide. Schools are selected based on criteria such as socio-economic need, inventory and condition of instruments, the number of students, dedication of school staff, and overall impact the grant would make within the school community.
I would like to thank Shannon from Shannon’s View From Here for her wonderful post and photos from todays’s event.
Ann
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Paula Schuck says
That story about why Sophie plays the flute gave me a good chuckle. Musicounts seems like such an amazing charity, it’s great that they help give people the chance to express themselves through music.
Paula Schuck recently posted…Fashion Angels Introduce New Spring Craft Kits for Tweens and Teens #TMMSG17
Linda Cassidy says
great review of an amazing experience