April 21, 2005 -

On Monday, May 2, school children and students across Canada will head outdoors at precisely the same moment to perform exactly the same song in a national celebration of music. Music Monday, which will become an annual event, is organized by the Coalition for Music Education in Canada to celebrate the power of music and to bring attention to the importance of music education in the schools.

The song “A Little Music” was written especially for the occasion by Canadian composer Chris Tait, and has been scored in an assortment of English and French, vocal and instrumental arrangements so that everyone can participate. Teachers can download instructions from the Web at www.weallneedmusic.ca.

The flagship celebration will take place in the Foyer of the National Arts Centre starting at 11:55. Using Hexagon’s Broadband videoconferencing technology, students in attendance will be linked to schools in Newfoundland and British Columbia. Hosted by NAC Orchestra Principal Youth and Family Conductor Boris Brott, there will be performances of excerpts of “A Little Music” by In Essence, Holy Heart of Mary high School Concert Band and the Burnaby South High School Orchestra. Other music will be performed by the École Pierre-Laporte Violin Quartet from Montreal, De La Salle Choir, Dala and NACO violinist Jessica Linnebach. Senator Tommy Banks will also perform with members of the Nepean All-City Jazz Band. Interspersed will be testimonials from students and political representatives on what music means to them.

Finally at exactly 13:00 EDT, Maestro Boris Brott will conduct a massed performance of “A Little Music” as schools across the country do the same thing. Participating at the NAC, in addition to the groups already mentioned, will be Nepean High School, Canterbury High School, Brookfield High School, John McCrae Secondary School, Summit Alternative School, Hilson Avenue Public School, École élémentaire catholique Marius-Barbeau and Queen Elizabeth Public School.

Founded in 1992, the Coalition for Music Education in Canada is dedicated to ensuring every child in Canada has access to a well-rounded and balanced education taught by a qualified music specialist.

Information:
Jane Morris, Communications Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca