Binzento Vincente: MUSICOUNTS 2015 - The TD Community Music Program Calling For Submissions

Submissions For MUISCOUNTS TD Community Music Program Now Being Accepted

$220,000 In Grants To Be Awarded

(photos courtesy: Muisicounts.ca)

Submissions are now being accepted for the 2015 MusiCounts TD Community Music Program. Launched three years ago as a partnership between MusiCounts and TD Bank Group, the initiative has provided funding to 31 organizations across Canada since inception, allowing access to musical instruments and equipment to thousands of children in under-served communities. This program's success proves music's ability to transform the lives of at-risk youth. Ensuring that message continues to reach more potential applicants remains the ongoing goal.

"In the first two years of this program, we saw a substantial amount of applications," says Allan Reid, President & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards & MusiCounts. "That response serves to underline the substantial need that exists for these programs. We're thrilled to continue this partnership with TD that provides opportunities for youth to discover a talent or passion that they might not have known they had if it wasn't for the local programs that expose them to music."

Grant applications are being accepted beginning February 17, 2015 at www.musicounts.ca, with a submission deadline of Friday, May 8, 2015. The grants will be distributed in allotments of up to $25,000 totaling $220,000.

"We're excited to continue supporting MusiCounts, a charity that gives young people the opportunity to not only access music - but also benefit from music education," said Alan Convery, Director, Community Relations, TD Bank Group. "TD is committed to creating opportunities for youth in communities across the country. The MusiCounts TD Community Music Program makes it possible for community organizations coast-to-coast to make a positive impact on Canada's youth - and help them to discover a love of music."

The TD Community Music Program was first envisioned by Broken Social Scene co-founder Kevin Drew. In 2011, he approached MusiCounts and proposed the idea for the charity to support programs targeting at-risk youth, who lack opportunity to engage in music education and discovery through their own schools. With support from TD, MusiCounts has brought this initiative to life and has continued to see other artists getting involved such as Tegan & Sara and Arkells.

Last year the program received over 100 applications, from which a total of 16 recipients were selected. Among those fortunate enough to receive funding was the Sudbury Youth Rocks Program, run through the John Howard Society of Sudbury. Led by a group of dedicated volunteers, the non-profit organization provides music lessons to troubled teens between the ages of 12 - 17, pairing them with seasoned musicians in a pressure-free environment to help foster self-esteem and teamwork. Watch Hamilton Music Collective's An Instrument for Every Child (AIFEC), 2014 MusiCounts TD Community Music Program recipient, discover their love of music here.

2014 MusiCounts TD Community Music Program Beneficiaries:

All Nations Healin' Thru Artz (ANHTA) - Regina, SK

Culture for Kids in the Arts (CKA) - Hamilton, ON

Hamilton Music Collective - Hamilton, ON

Heart of the City Piano Program (Vancouver Chapter) - Vancouver, BC

John Howard Society of Sudbury - Sudbury, ON

Le Conseil des arts de Chéticamp - Chéticamp, NS

Lyrical Lines Education Network Inc. - Kitchener, ON

New Ross Family Resource Centre - New Ross, NS

North York Community House (NYCH) - Toronto, ON

Overture with the Arts (OWTA) - Dorval, QC

Partageons l'espoir/ Share the Warmth - Montréal, QC

Project Grace - St. John's, NL

Success Power Opportunity Teamwork (The S.P.O.T) - Scarborough, ON

Tall Tree Festival Society - Port Renfrew, BC

The West End Culture Centre (WECC) - Winnipeg, MB

YMCA of Greater Vancouver - Surrey, BC

The MusiCounts TD Community Music Program provides funding for musical instruments and equipment for non-profit organizations that operate outside of Provincial Departments of Education. Non-profit and/or registered charitable organizations with pre-existing music programs, or those that want to introduce music programs to complement their current programming, are also eligible for funding consideration.

Binzento Vincente

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Wednesday, February 18, 2015

MUSICOUNTS 2015 - The TD Community Music Program Calling For Submissions