Norman Mould,
Editor

The Coalition received many favourable comments on our November edition. My thanks to all who took the time to pass on their thoughts and, even more importantly, sent ideas and copy for further issues. As I'm sure you realize, we rely on our members to be our eyes and ears when gathering content.

We have an ambitious newsletter programme for the early part of 2008. No sooner will the current issue have reached you than work will start on a special edition celebrating Music Monday. So, I urge you to register your school's participation on the website http://www.musicmonday.ca/ and to email me (normanmould@shaw.ca) with any details of your plans for the first Monday in May. As you know from the previous issue, we have an exciting partnership with the CBC this year and the sooner we can provide them with nationwide information about what will be happening, the better the media coverage will be.

Once again, my thanks to the folks at Norris Whitney for their work in creating the look and feel of our newsletter; and best wishes to Gorana Brown who did such a great job last month. She is currently on maternity leave.

Looking forward to lots of news about Music Monday,

Norman

Ingrid Whyte,
Executive Director

Well, it seems a while since we turned the corner into the New Year but certainly not too late to wish everyone much joy and good health along with many grand moments inspired by music. We note with sadness the passing last year of music education friends and champions Oscar Peterson, Richard Bradshaw and Doug Riley - all leave a rich and inspiring legacy - and we thank them for their invaluable contributions in the lives of all Canadians. You can read Phil Nimmons' moving tribute to Oscar inside this newsletter.

Two Coalition initiatives continue to shine the spotlight on music education. The National Effort invites all Canadians to add their signature online at http://www.weallneedmusic.ca/to show their support for quality music education in our schools. Already, more than 2,000 individuals and over 100 organizations have become signatories. Please take two minutes and add your signature and/or organization to this important initiative. Thousands of people - including administrators, teachers, media - will be on our website in the coming weeks as we count down to the fourth annual Music Monday. Let's show them that The National Effort runs deep and wide.

Music Monday takes place again on Monday, May 5th. Be sure to register your participation early. Once again, Dala's beautiful song 'Our Song', will unite the country at 1 p.m. eastern time. Everything you need to get involved is FREE and EASY to download online at http://www.musicmonday.ca/. Our newest partner, CBC Radio, will be reflecting events in communities across the country as they shine the spotlight on music education. They're interested in your stories and your plans, so new this year is a Music Monday Events Listing on our website. This is where you can post more information on your activities so that media and producers across the country can get involved where possible. Be sure to list your events as soon as possible so that others than can be inspired by your plans.

Finally, I'd like to welcome the BC Coalition for Music Education as a provincial affiliate of the Coalition for Music Education in Canada. While we've worked well together over the years, this formalized relationship will allow both our organizations to engage and grow more support for quality music education in our schools throughout the province. More news in this issue.

It's an exciting time with many opportunities ahead. Thank you for your continuing support. I welcome your comments and feedback and you can always reach me at: Ingrid@coalitionformusiced.ca

Warm regards,
Ingrid Whyte

Oscar Peterson

Oscar Peterson died on December 23, 2007, leaving Canadians and people around the world a legacy rich in music, compassion and inspiration.

As an ardent supporter of quality music education, Oscar was part of a video produced by the Coalition several years ago, called Every Child's Right. We asked Phil Nimmons, jazz master and music education supporter, to share some thoughts on the passing of his long-time friend. From one jazz legend to another, we are grateful to be able to share these remarks that Phil made on the occasion of "Simply the Best: A Concert Memorial Tribute" recorded by the CBC at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto on January 12th.

At the time of writing, the full concert is available at CBC Radio On Demand at http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/R2feature-Oscar.html

Phil Nimmons taking part in Music Monday 2006 at the NAC

My friendship with Oscar began over 50 years ago at the Colonial Tavern in Toronto. A dear friend, the late Harry Freedman, introduced us.

Oscar was performing as a duo with Major Holly playing bass and it was the first time that I had heard Oscar play.

I was overwhelmed. I had never heard the piano played like that, except maybe Horowitz playing his piano/orchestral version of the opera Carmen. The piano was played in its totality by Oscar, playing with his whole being, the full dynamic range from top to bottom.

He played a piano roll that came from nowhere and built to everywhere; the sound was huge and awesome. It filled the whole world. I leaned over to Harry and said "thundertoes" and "thunderheads".

Those two words, "thunderhead" and "thundertoes", became nicknames and prevailed throughout our friendship.

When Oscar first started playing in Toronto as a duo, with Ray Brown playing bass, he stayed with us and often over the years referred to Noreen, my late wife, as his favourite landlady. She was also the favoured object of his many practical jokes and he had a nickname for her "Tahee".

Noreen and I spent many nights in the Paddock Tavern listening to Oscar and Ray. At the time, Ray was married to Ella Fitzgerald and Ray had Ella's Cadillac. On many occasions, after the gig, we thought nothing about getting into the Cadillac and driving to Buffalo for ribs at Baffo's. Ray drove and I think he thought he was in a Formula 1 race. I'm sure that I kept seeing city limit signs back to back.

Noreen was very susceptible to Oscar's practical jokes. On one occasion he said if she stopped smoking he had a reward for her. It was 180SL Mercedes sports car and it was sitting in our drive way with the head of the dealership at the wheel. Unfortunately for Noreen and fortunately for Oscar she continued smoking. On another occasion we were at the Paddock and Noreen was penultimately blossoming with our first child, Holly. Throughout the evening, the waitresses kept coming to our table with all kinds of baby stuff: baby bottles, talcum powder, nipples, corn starch, Vaseline, nursing bras, diapers, and so on and so on. It could have been the birth of a nation with left overs!

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Town Tavern on Queen Street East, in Toronto.

Oscar's trio, with Ray playing bass and Ed Thigpen playing drums, performed there regularly. The food was great, the service was excellent, the management dug the music and all of that was only outdone by the magic of the trio's performances.

Oscar was quick to give his time and lend support to many worthwhile causes. Along with Gordie Tapp, the late Fred Davis and Nimmons 'N' Nine Plus Six, he participated in benefits to raise funds for children with learning disabilities.

In the early years of his association with Norman Granz and Jazz At The Philharmonic, Oscar helped family and friends as his financial situation improved.

Later he was always ready to help many musicians in the early stages of their careers. Some that come to mind: The Singers Unlimited, Benny Green and, of course, myself.

Through Oscar I had the opportunity to meet many of the jazz greats - Dizzy, Duke, Count Basie, John Lewis, Gunther Schuller and many others. I was indeed fortunate to share and exchange thoughts and ideas with them.

Finally, Kelly and Celine, Daisy and May, Lynn, Gay and Norman - my loving thoughts are with you.

I want you all to know that knowing O.P. has made my life much fuller and, if we reflect and listen very closely, I'm sure we'll hear rolling across the sky such sweet thunder.

Monday, May 5th, 2008

More than 690 schools and organizations from across the country have registered to date! Everything you need to get involved is free and easy online at http://www.musicmonday.ca/. Take two minutes to register today and help spread the word. You could win one of two prizes worth about $1,000 each (retail) from Yamaha Canada and Roland Music; and your school might even be featured on the CBC! 2008 is shaping up to be the biggest Music Monday ever. Let us know your plans for our special Music Monday edition of the newsletter coming soon to an inbox on your computer.

Karen Kain

Last fall, the Coalition launched a series of new radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs) as part of its Champions campaign in support of music education. The new phase of the campaign includes high profile Canadians who are at the peaks of their careers and have a joy and passion for music.

"The spots are cleverly based on children's poetry and emphasize, in a very creative way, the need to ensure music stays in schools, particularly at a young age," says Ingrid Whyte, executive director of the Coalition "The endorsement for music education from such accomplished Canadians, who see music as a factor in their success, demonstrates the role that music can play in shaping and enriching the lives of young people."

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada and Chair of the Canada Council for the Arts is one of our newest champions and over our next several issues, we'll introduce you to the other champions in this important campaign.

Karen Kain is a nationally and internationally-renowned ballerina. Admired during her years on stage for her singular and defining performances in an extraordinary range of ballets, she continues to serve as a role model for younger dancers and has made invaluable contributions to strengthening the art of ballet in Canada. Karen Kain is also a tireless promoter of the arts as a central element of Canadian life.

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Ms. Kain studied at the National Ballet School, joining the National Ballet of Canada in 1969. She was promoted to Principal Dancer in 1971, after her debut as the Swan Queen in Swan Lake. Her silver medal at the International Ballet Competition in Moscow in 1973 helped launch an extraordinary international career which saw her dance many of ballet's greatest roles with some of the world's finest ballet companies. She teamed with some of the most illustrious choreographers and dancers of her day. She was Artistic Associate with the Ballet from 2001 to 2005. In June 2005, she was named Artistic Director (effective July 1, 2005).

In 1976, Ms. Kain was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, and in 1991 was promoted to Companion of the Order. She has received numerous awards in Canada and abroad for her artistic accomplishments and cultural work. She is the first Canadian to receive the international Cartier Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2001, she was named an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Government. In 2002, she received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement. She holds honorary degrees from Toronto, York, McMaster and Trent universities.

Karen Kain was appointed Chair of the Canada Council on September 14, 2004 for a five-year term.

We are proud to have Karen Kain as a Champion for Music Education.

"I agreed to be in this PSA because of my own personal experience of being exposed to music and dance as a child. My parents took me to a performance of Giselle for my eighth birthday: it was an experience I will never forget, and it was what made me decide to become a dancer," says Karen Kain. "All children should have the same opportunity to experience the arts, which is why I support the Coalition for Music Education in Canada."

You can listen to Karen's PSA, along with our other champions, at: http://coalitionformusiced.ca/html/sec3-awareness/champions.php/ Media are welcome to download and play our PSAs on their stations.

On Tuesday, January 29th, 2008, the Alliance for Music Education Ontario urged the Ontario government to commit sufficient and targeted funding for music education at the 2008 pre-budget consultation in Kingston, ON. The Alliance comprises the following member organizations: the Ontario Music Educator's Association, the Canadian Music Industry Education Committee, People for Education, and the Coalition for Music Education in Canada representing thousands of Ontarians from across this province. The Alliance is a unique collaboration of organizations committed to finding ways to ensure the delivery of quality music education to all Ontario children regardless of economic means, geographic location, and skill level.

To read the full brief, click here. Click here to view the summary of recommendations. Available in English only.

A website that cannot be recommended highly enough. Want to know more about the science of music? Have some fun at the same time? Get fascinated?

Go to http://www.innovationcanada.com/31/en/default.html (also available in French)

Guitars Not Guns Canada Free Music Program for at-Risk Youth Now Graduating Four GTA classes

Ward 5 Trustee James Pasternak, who was instrumental in bringing the program to Beverley Heights and the Christian Centre Church, appreciates the broad educational value of music. "Guitars Not Guns is a valuable adjunct to the school day in priority neighbourhoods. It nurtures talent, is fun, and is experiential learning at its best."

The programme has broad community support - from volunteer teachers including professional musicians, business people and public school teachers dedicated to making the after-school program grow. Each class of 8-to-18-year-olds has an exceptional teaching ratio, with 3 adult volunteer musicians teaching a maximum of 10 students.

Participants who don't already have guitars are assigned one - which they are allowed to keep if they complete the entire 8-week program. The first 10 guitars for each new chapter are donated by the Gibson Foundation. Additional guitars are donated privately or purchased by Guitars Not Guns Canada (GNG).

This year, GNG Canada is targeting a fundraising objective of $25,000, to launch chapters and put instruments into the hands of Canadian youth.