TORONTO, April 29, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Monday, May 4th, thousands of Canadians will once again celebrate Music Monday. Produced by the Coalition for Music Education in Canada for the past 15 years, Music Monday 2020 is transforming into a 12-hour digital broadcast featuring Canadian music and musicians in communities from coast to coast to coast, allowing every Canadian to celebrate safely.
Beginning at 9AM EST, Music Monday @ Home will showcase the diversity, creativity and resilience of the nation and feature live performances, favourite memories, and special messages from prominent Canadians, ending with a virtual afterparty.
Confirmed performers include:
- Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, NL
- Tara MacLean & Catherine MacLellan, singer/songwriters, PEI
- Measha Brueggergosman, soprano, NB/NS
- Gabriel and Paul Campagne, folk artists, QC/SK
- Wen Zhao, pipa, ON
- Robi Botos, jazz piano, ON
- Teiya Kasahara (soprano) and Andrea Grant (piano), ON
- Those Guys Acapella, MB
- Karen Donnelly, trumpet, SK
- Calgary Philharmonic and Edmonton Symphony Orchestras, AB
- Walter Macdonald Whitebear, flute, drum, AB
- Leela Gilday, singer/songwriter, NT
- Iqualuit Music Society, NU
- Nicholas Wright, violin, BC
- Jon Kimura Parker, piano, BC
Programming from Quebec will be presented in French.
Additional programming aimed at younger children will be provided by Charlotte Diamond, Early Years programming from the VSO School of Music, and children’s performer Chris McKhool.
The livestream will be available on the Coalition website and social media channels, accompanied by a series of at-home resources and activities to enhance the celebrations and support at-home learning.
Since 2004, Music Monday has shone a spotlight on the phenomenal work of musicians, teachers, students, community allies, and arts organizations, while advocating for equitable access to quality music and music education for all Canadians. Its ever-expanding growth has proven Music Monday to be one of the largest nationwide celebrations of our time.
We look forward to raising our voices for the Music Monday anthem, Oscar Peterson’s iconic “Hymn to Freedom”. Viewers can hear this stirring piece of Canadian history, and participate in a national sing-along, including a virtual choir version of the anthem led by Alexander Shelley, Music Director of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra.
Now more than ever, Canadians understand the vital role that music plays within our culture. Music Monday brings us together to demonstrate our immense love for music and the important role it plays in the shaping of young lives.
Music Monday is made possible with the generous support of the NAMM Foundation, the SOCAN Foundation as well as support from Yamaha Canada Music Inc., Long and McQuade and all our partner organizations. For a full list of sponsors please visit our website.
ABOUT MUSIC MONDAY
Music Monday is the only national celebration of music education that actively engages children and youth in their schools and communities. On the first Monday in May, music makers of all generations and genres gather to make music and join their voices for a sing-along of the Music Monday anthem.
ABOUT YOUTH4MUSIC
Youth4Music is Canadian youth inspiring and building community through music. Aspiring youth leaders are empowered to collaborate in the development of projects that raise the awareness of the benefits of music in our lives. Youth4Music is a program of the Coalition for Music Education in Canada. Led by youth, for youth, through music.
ABOUT THE COALITION FOR MUSIC EDUCATION
The Coalition for Music Education in Canada is an organization made up of parents, students, educators, and businesspeople from varying walks of life who support school music programs and highlight the importance of music education for all young people in Canada. For more information, visit www.coalitioncanada.ca