This week we celebrated the 15th annual Music Monday in Canada! Music Monday is the first Monday in May and is used to bring awareness to the importance of music education across the Country. In 1992 the Coalition for Music Education in Canada was formed to ensure that music education had a unified and intentional support across Canada. In 2005 the Coalition found that a great way to bring the country together to celebrate music was through a nationally celebrated day where all were encouraged to share their love for music, especially those in an educational setting.
I was in grade 8 when the first Music Monday took place and have fond memories of Music Monday throughout my High School years. Ironically awareness for music education meant that those of us in the music program were able to skip all classes that day to play on the front lawn of our school. Therefore it was one of my favourite days of the year, taking place right when the weather was getting nice and skipping math and science to make music outside! We would put together a full days set list consisting of anyone in the school who wanted to make music. I played in my schools concert band, R&B band as well as the guitar class which often played at coffee houses. It was one of my first experiences at what felt like ‘gigging’ and I loved every second of it.
It is decisions like these made by the Coalition that have led to my love of music and appreciation for the music community and education. I hope that most of you got the opportunity to make, create or listen to music yesterday. If not, ITS NOT TOO LATE! Check out the Junk Line’s Virtual Jam from yesterday if you are feeling deprived of some wicked beats!
Hilary