Our Story
MusiCounts is Canada’s music education charity associated with the JUNO Awards and we believe music adds possibilities for youth.
MusiCounts was established in 1997 by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in collaboration with media companies, record labels, and high-profile artists, each of whom understood that the success of the music industry was deeply connected to success in the music classroom.
Alanis Morrisette and Nickelback at early MusiCounts Band Aid Celebrations
Under the name MusiCan, the MusiCounts Band Aid Program was launched to disperse funds into schools for musical instruments. Followed shortly by a scholarship program - and a new name - MusiCounts branched out to celebration by recognizing an exceptional music educator each year. In 2013, a generous investment from the TD Bank Group catalysed the SiriusXM Soundwaves MusiCounts Community Fund, a complement to the flagship school music program.
MusiCounts Programs
It's been 25 years since MusiCounts started putting instruments into the hands of kids who need them most. Today, we offer a broad range of programs to support music education in exciting, innovative, and effective ways.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted many of the existing issues in music education. MusiCounts saw the opportunity to help close some of the gaps faced by teachers trying to deliver music education remotely, and with varying access to technology or support. The result, MusiCounts Learn, creates new, innovative learning resources for teachers and students, and facilitates important national dialogue about music education.
In 2023, MusiCounts announced a transformative $2 million investment from the Slaight Family Foundation, intended to fuel innovation within the music education space. The resulting MusiCounts Slaight Family Foundation Innovation Fund supports culturally-relevant and/or technology-forward music programming. The three granting streams combined now disburse over $1 million to schools and communities annually.
