School’s Out and MusiCounts Has Got Summer Shout Outs

July 13, 2023

As we wrap up the school year and prepare to welcome the next, we would like to shout out our wonderful donors and partners who support MusiCounts in our mission to make music education inclusive, sustainable and accessible across Canada — igniting the passion of our future musicians and artists. MusiCounts is supported by dedicated and generous partners, donors, and community members who each contribute to making Canada a more musical place. Here are some of the highlights and unique stories from the past year:

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Photo Credit: CARAS/Ryan Bolton

Slaight Family Foundation

The Slaight Family Foundation is investing $2 million over the next 5 years for the MusiCounts Slaight Family Foundation Innovation Fund. Announced by Derrick Ross at The 2023 JUNO Opening Night Awards, this transformative investment will support innovative tech-forward and culturally relevant music programs across the country.

Canada’s Great Kitchen Party

This year, through Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian culinary events and trips across the world, their community came together to support 22 MusiCounts Band Aid Program schools. Over six years of our work with Canada’s Great Kitchen Party, they’ve helped MusiCounts invest nearly $1 million into 87 schools - incredible!

Musora Media

From their 2nd annual fundraising drive, Musora Media raised nearly $90,000 — each of their four teaching streams (Pianote, Guitareo, Drumeo, and Singeo) donated 20% of their annual membership to MusiCounts.

Re:Sound

MusiCounts was named Re:Sound’s charitable recipient for their 10th anniversary Re:Wind: Back to Live benefit concert, raising a total of $54,000. MusiCounts and Re:Sound both celebrated 25th anniversaries in 2022, and this concert was a great way to recognize the milestone.

Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation

During JUNO Week 2023, MusiCounts teamed up with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation as the beneficiary of the Rogers Place 50/50 raffle.

CST Foundation

The MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award and MusiCounts Inspired Minds Ambassador Award are both presented by CST Foundation. For the first time ever, the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award winner was announced live at The JUNO Awards!

Record Store Day

30 stores across Canada partnered with Record Store Day Canada to sell exclusive Sum 41 posters, with 100% of the proceeds going to the MusiCounts Band Aid Program.

Lewitt Family Foundation

At the 2023 Canadian Music Hall of Fame ceremony in Calgary, inductees Terri Clark, Diane Dufresne, Oliver Jones, Nickelback, Trooper, and 2022 inductee Deborah Cox were honoured with MusiCounts Legacy Grants, presented by the Lewitt Family Foundation. Through this program, grants of up to $25,000 have been awarded to six Canadian schools in their names.

And to celebrate another great school year, we gathered for our Leadership Circle event at the end of May, inviting Jesse Gold and the 2022 MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Presented by CST Foundation, Darren Hamilton & his students for an open house and performance for our donors and partners.

While we don’t wish away the summer, we are excited for a new school year and another opportunity to bring more smiles, instruments, equipment, and resources in the music classroom.

Thank you to all our donors and partners who supported MusiCounts in the last year!