This week MusiCounts announced the launch of its 2012-2013 Band Aid Grant applications. The grants are open to elementary and secondary schools to get musical instruments to keep music programs going in their curriculum.
MusiCounts is accepting applications until Nov. 16.
Rohan Marley, of the House of Marley and son of the legendary Bob Marley, was on hand at the Commodore in Vancouver to announce a $50,000 contribution to MusiCounts.
Bob D’Eith, executive director of Music BC also announced a contribution of $10,000 in matching funds from the Music BC Charitable Foundation.
“It’s always good to be where the youths are being supported and we truly love what 1Love.org and House of Marley has created with MusiCounts,” Marley said. “The charity is doing great things to keep music in schools here in Canada and we look forward to continuing to build and grow this relationship.”
“MusiCounts does incredible and needed work in Canada to help keep music in schools,” said D’Eith. “Music BC Charitable Foundation is honoured to be partnering with MusiCounts to ensure that this vision is extended throughout BC.”
Six previous recipients of Band Aid Grants in the greater Vancouver area were in attendance, including Brighouse Elementary School (Richmond), Confederation Park Elementary (Burnaby), Emily Carr Elementary (Vancouver), Forsyth Elementary (Surrey), Princess Margaret Secondary School (Surrey) and Tamanawis Secondary (Surrey) who’s senior concert band performed Celebration Tribalesque by Randall D. Standridge.
As a surprise, each of the schools in attendance were presented with a $1,000 gift card from House of Marley’s retail partner, Future Shop, to go toward the purchase of musical instruments. Each student in attendance was also left with a parting gift of a pair of House of Marley ear-buds.
“We’re very proud to be here in Vancouver to announce the launch of this year’s Band Aid Grant program,” said Allan Reid, director of MusiCounts. “The contributions from House of Marley and Music BC are helping us put more instruments in the hands of students. We’re so happy to have them on board as partners.”
This year, schools across Canada will benefit from $600,000 worth of Band Aid musical instrument grants. The grants (worth $5,000 or $10,000) impact thousands of young Canadians and support diverse music programs that include concert and jazz bands to drum and guitar ensembles from Pre K to Grade 12 in urban, rural, remote and First Nations communities from coast to coast.
Schools from across Canada are invited to visit www.musicounts.ca to apply for 2012-2013 MusiCounts Band Aid grants.
