$10,000 to be used to purchase wind instruments.

A17

Margaret Patricia Eaton

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Michael Molloy, Fine Arts Consultant for School District 8 and music teacher at Harbour View High School in Saint John has good reason to be excited. The school has just received a $10,000 grant from MusiCounts, which he describes as "the best philanthropic music organization in Canada."

The grant will be used to purchase wind instruments, including flutes, clarinets, trumpets, saxophones and trombones. With these instruments, more students will be able to enroll in the instrumental music option, as opposed to general music, in which the students learn to appreciate music, but don't have any opportunity for hands-on experience. Currently, there are 90 students in instrumental music, including two classes of Grade 9, one Grade 10 and one Grade 11, as well as the stage band, but they have to lease their instruments. While the cost is reasonable for a middle income family with both parents working, it becomes prohibitive for families on social assistance or single mothers struggling to make ends meet.

"The grant will greatly increase our flexibility in being able to offer the program," Malloy says. "We're happy with what's happened as this is really good for the students. I've seen kids get involved with music, who at first were only marginally interested, and then found it was much more than they ever thought it would be. They began to take great pride in their achievements."

Malloy credits music teacher Lisa Sanderson with proceeding with the application process in which she had to justify the long-term goals for the music program and provide documentation from the school. Her dedication and hard work paid off when Harbour View High School was one of only two schools in New Brunswick selected to receive the award, with the other going to Fredericton High School.

MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity associated with The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has a mission of keeping music alive in schools across Canada and ensuring that children have access to a comprehensive music program through their school. Since the program was established in 1997, they have donated over $3.5 million and are supported by contributions from the music industry, including CTVglobemedia, EMI Music Canada Inc.; Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc. and Warner Music Canada, Inc. Corporate sponsors include Astral Media, The Keg Spirit Foundation, Rogers Broadcasting and SIRIUS Canada Inc. This year 60 schools, in every province and territory, received grants.

In the past dozen years, three other schools in District 8 have also benefited. Molloy says Simonds High School used the grant to purchase band instruments, as did Bay Side Middle School, while two years ago Island View Elementary in West Saint John purchased a variety of percussion instruments, including drums, xylophones and marimbas to support the World Music program.

The grant money ensures that each student who enrolls in the instrumental option will have his/her own instrument for the duration of the program, with no sharing of instruments and the option of taking them home to practice. In fact, at home practice is a requirement.

What happens if they don't bring them back?

"They die, slowly!" Molloy replies with a laugh, then adds, "They'll bring them back. They're good kids."