April 2023 – Toronto, ON – Launched in 2005 by The Coalition for Music Education in Canada, Music Monday is one of the world’s largest single events dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of music education. Each year, hundreds of thousands of students, educators, and music makers celebrate with events from coast to coast to coast and participate in the collective singing of the Music Monday song, an original composition written by a Canadian artist.
The 2023 Song of Celebration is “Music is Our Medicine,” written by youth musicians Mimi O’Bonsawin and Nicholas Ma. Mimi will perform “Music is our Medicine” live on Monday, May 1, 2023, at Harry Bowes PS with their primary choirs in Whitchurch-Stouffville, Ontario
By raising our voices and instruments in support of Music Monday, we make a powerful statement to all Canadians about the importance of equitable access to quality music education for all students and the impact it has on student’s mental health and well-being, learning and understanding of one another.
The Coalition for Music Education in Canada is honoured to have Juno Award nominated Keysha Freshh as their 2023 Music Monday Ambassador. Keysha received her JUNO AWARD nomination for BEST CHILDREN’S ALBUM as performer, writer and collaborator on Maestro Fresh Wes presents JULIA THE GREAT. Dubbed “Hip Hops kid sister,” Keysha Freshh blends everything you love about the ’90s with everything you appreciate about Hip Hop.
Keysha Freshh. Photo: Isa Miguel Ransome + Urbanology Magazine
Lesley Ann Andrews, Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education, supported by Dr. Andrew Lynk, who is Nova Scotia’s Chair and Chief of Pediatrics for the IWK Health Centre and Associate Professor for Dalhousie University, has brought together over 1100 students from grades 3-12 in Cape Breton for an afternoon of music. Students will be joined by Canadian music legends Barra MacNeils, to sign their infamous song “The Island.”
The Coalition for Music Education in Canada will support schools nationwide by hosting events celebrating Music Education in Canada.
Carlyle School Grade 6. Photo: Composers of Deserve Peace
This year schools from every province from the east coast to the west coast, including Nunavut, will join in the celebration. The Coalition for Music Education in Canada constantly works to find opportunities to celebrate and increase interest in music education in schools.
