MusiCounts is thrilled to announce that 73 schools across Canada will receive $825,000 worth of instruments, equipment, and resources via the 2023 MusiCounts Band Aid Program.

The MusiCounts Band Aid Program allocates grants of up to $15,000 to schools to start or refurbish their music program. It supports any approach to music education and the purchase of any kind of musical instruments and equipment.

“We are so excited for the 2023 MusiCounts Band Aid Program recipients! With these much-needed funds, educators will be able to help the kids who need it most get the benefit of music in their lives,” says Kristy Fletcher, President of MusiCounts. “While it’s a thrill to make this announcement, we must remember the overwhelming need of schools and communities across the country. We still have so much more to do, and I would encourage anyone who believes in the power of music to reach out and get involved.”

The students at Runnymede Collegiate Institute in Toronto, ON come from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences, including a significant proportion of BIPOC students, Ukranians making Canada their new home, and students struggling with mental health. The educators at Runnymede know how powerful music can be in building community, resilience, and identity, and will be using their MusiCounts grant to purchase two full sets of steelpan drums, and additional instruments for a keyboard ensemble.

The rural community of Blacks Harbour, NB faces significant economic challenges, which means that any community fundraising supports food security, leaving Blacks Harbour Elementary without any funds to ensure kids benefit from music programming. The school will be using their MusiCounts grant to purchase a full set of ukuleles and barred instruments, which will likely be the only access to musical instruments kids in this community have.

Chase Secondary School in Chase, BC has turned students away from the concert band and jazz programming for years because their existing instrument inventory is over 20 years old and is not sufficient in numbers to meet the demand at the school. With the help of MusiCounts, the school will be able to replace their instruments and buy enough to make sure that every student who wants to learn and play, can.

To learn more about MusiCounts and how you can help the charity reach more schools, please visit musicounts.ca/donate.

2023 MusiCounts Band Aid Program Recipients:

ALBERTA

Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation School, Glenevis, AB

Balwin School, Edmonton, AB

Chief Jacob Bearspaw School, Eden Valley, AB

kisêwâtisiwin School, Edmonton, AB

Niitsitapi Learning Centre, Calgary, AB

Norwood School, Wetaskiwin, AB

Piitoayis Family School, Calgary, AB

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Alternate Community Programs, Prince George, BC

CABE Secondary School, Coquitlam, BC

Chase Secondary School, Chase, BC

Glenmerry Elementary, Trail, BC

Greater Heights Learning Academy, Coquitlam, BC

James Hill Elementary, Langley, BC

Macaulay Elementary School, Victoria, BC

North Island Secondary School, Port McNeill, BC

Springvalley Elementary School, Kelowna, BC

MANITOBA

Chan Kagha Otina Dakota Wayawa Tipi School, Beulah, MB

Maple Leaf Elementary School, Morden, MB

Mary Duncan School, The Pas, MB

Neil Dennis Kematch Memorial School, Pelican Rapids, MB

St. Theresa Point First Nation High School, St. Theresa Point, MB

NEW BRUNSWICK

Blacks Harbour Elementary School, Blacks Harbour, NB

Hampton High School, Hampton, NB

NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

Stephenville Middle School, Stephenville, NL

Valmont Academy, Kings Point, NL

NOVA SCOTIA

Gaspereau Valley Elementary School, Sikunme'katik (Gaspereau), NS

Harbourside Elementary, Sydney, NS

Herring Cove Junior High, Halifax, NS

Joseph Howe Elementary School, Halifax, NS

Leslie Thomas Junior High, Lower Sackville, NS

Mi'kmawey School, Potlotek, NS

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Mackenzie Mountain School, Norman Wells, NT

NUNAVUT

Netsilik Ilihakvik, Taloyoak, NU

Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik, Gjoa Haven, NU

ONTARIO

Africentric Alternative School, Toronto, ON

Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute, Toronto, ON

Bishop Belleau School, Moosonee, ON

Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School and Regional Arts Program, Toronto, ON

Blessed Trinity Catholic School, Toronto, ON

Dundas Valley Secondary School, Dundas, ON

Gaagagekiizhik Elementary and Bimose High School, Kenora, ON

Gordon A Brown Middle School, Toronto, ON

Heydon Park Secondary School, Toronto, ON

Nahani Way Public School, Mississauga, ON

Pauline Johnson Collegiate & Vocational School, Brantford, ON

Precious Blood Catholic School, Toronto, ON

Queen Alexandra Middle School, Toronto, ON

Robert H. Lagerquist Senior Public School, Brampton, ON

Runnymede Collegiate Institute, Toronto, ON

Sherbrooke Public School, Thunder Bay, ON

St. André Catholic School, Toronto, ON

St. Lawrence Catholic School, Scarborough, ON

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Elementary School, Scarborough, ON

Viola Desmond Elementary School, Hamilton, ON

QUEBEC

École Amédée-Boisvert, St-Albert, QC

École Annie Whiskeychan Memorial Elementary School, Waskaganish, QC

École de la Rose-des-Vents, Stornoway, QC

École des Explorateurs, Malartic, QC

École Dominique-Savio, Québec, QC

École Montmartre, Pointe-aux-Trembles, QC

École secondaire Dalbé-Viau, Lachine, QC

École secondaire du Chêne-Bleu, Pincourt, QC

École St-Eugène, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC

Polyvalente Monseigneur Sévigny, Chandler, QC

Polyvalente Robert-Ouimet, Acton Vale, QC

SASKATCHEWAN

Creighton Community School, Creighton, SK

Ducharme Elementary School, La Loche, SK

Mother Teresa Middle School and Graduate Support Program, Regina, SK

Nibwakawigimig Kinistin Education Center, Tisdale, SK

YUKON

Elijah Smith Elementary School, Whitehorse, YK