Youth4Music News

January has been a busy month for Youth4Music! Our Kingston Hub gathered on a Saturday morning for a day full of discussion, sharing, and music making. We were delighted to once again collaborate with the Queen’s University Student Music Educators’ Association, as well as musicians Erez Zobary and Nick Ashmore. Well-known to Kingston audiences, Erez and Nick kicked off the event with an acoustic set of originals and covers, then treated everyone to a second set after lunch. The event, co-hosted by Erez and fellow Youth4Music Ambassador Murray Lefebvre, also included guest speaker Dr. Julia Brook of Queen’s University’s Dan School of Drama and Music and brainstorming sessions about how to advocate for music and music education. A big thanks to our Youth4Music Kingston Hub and to everyone who joined us!

In addition to the Youth4Music event in Kingston, Ashley and Sharon from the Coalition team presented a workshop on music education at the Queen’s Conference on Education. Conference delegates were given the opportunity to discuss advocacy for music education, and to work in small groups to brainstorm music lesson plan activities. Our thanks to all the engaged young educators we met at the conference, and to QCE’s executive team for inviting us to be a part of this event.

Coalition News

We are excited to announce that nominations for our annual NUFSICISUM Youth Leadership Award open on February 1! On Music Monday five outstanding young people from across Canada will receive NUFSICISUM awards in recognition of the contributions they make to their schools and communities through music. Check out our features on Janice Kok and Jacob Murray, two of last year’s award winners, and visit our website for more information about how you can nominate an exceptional youth leader.

Thank you, Kristen!

As we begin a new year at Youth4Music we must bid Kristen Thompson so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye, as she steps down from her role as editor-in-chief of the Youth4Music newsletter. Kristen first joined the Youth4Music network in early 2018, when a friend asked for assistance in planning a Music Monday event and Kristen “ended up diving in head first!” Some of her favourite Youth4Music memories include spending Music Monday at “the small and mighty Gulf Shore Consolidated in Rustico, PEI, and becoming a contributor to the Youth4Music newsletter. She’s written about a variety of topics, including the RCM Gold Medal Ceremonies, Charlottetown’s all-ages music and arts scene, Pride celebrations across the country, and the top 5 spooky songs for Halloween. We will miss working with Kristen, but we couldn’t be happier about the reason for her departure: Kristen will be taking on the lead role in her high school’s production of We Will Rock You! Thank you, Kristen! You rock!

Q&A With Conchordium

Youth4Music is excited to introduce you to Conchordium, and to welcome this group into our Toronto Hub! Conchordium is a not-for-profit organization led by high school and university students dedicated to music advocacy and innovation. Led by executive director Allen Lu, a high school student from North York, ON, Conchordium is divided into a Main Chapter, a Research and Development Chapter, and a Board of Directors, who plan events throughout the school year in order to connect music students from across the Greater Toronto Area. We recently spoke to Allen about what led him to found Conchordium, what projects the team is working on, and the importance of youth leadership. To read the full Q&A click here.

Spotlight On... Ava+Lily

Twins Ava and Lily Rashed, also known as Ava+Lily, are a country-pop duo born and raised in Charlottetown, PEI. The 14-year-old singer-songwriters are quite popular on the island. The duo is known for their tight harmonies, unique blend, and positive vibes they bring to the music scene. Kristen had the chance to sit down with the two artists, and hear their story. Click here to read more.

In Your Backyard

CBC Searchlight
Attention all aspiring musicians! Registration for Searchlight 2019 is now open! CBC Music’s annual Searchlight competition is all about discovering the best of Canada’s hidden talents. Prizes include performance, recording, and mentorship opportunities; winners will be announced on March 7. Visit CBC Music to enter by January 29.  

Upcoming Concerts
There’s nothing like beautiful music to warm the heart on a cold winter’s day, so why not take in some of Canada’s premier youth ensembles? The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra brings their Inspiring Excellence series to the Fredericton Playhouse on February 10; the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra presents Black is Beautiful, featuring Black performers and composers, on February 17 in North Preston, NS; and the Edmonton Youth Orchestra’s Senior and Intermediate ensembles take to the stage of the Winspear Centre on February 24, featuring winners of the Northern Alberta Concerto Competition.   

Thank you • Merci • Miigwech • kinana'skomitina'wa'w

We are able to do all of this awesome work because of the support from many groups. For a full listing of this support go to Coalition, Youth4Music and Music Monday.