PRESS RELEASE - OCTOBER 24th, 2007 - click here

"Music BC Charitable Foundation's Successful Pilot Program Leads Way to Foster Music Education in BC - Open calls for other elementary schools in BC to begin 2nd Adopt an Instrument Program, and announcement of deadline for Burt Harris Memorial Scholarship Awards"

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In response to the dramatic decline in support for music education throughout the province, Music BC has established a new charity in order to foster a renewal of interest in music and the importance of music education. The first two programs include:

The Burt Harris Memorial Scholarship

With initial funding through The Beat 94.5 FM this scholarship will be built to award music education scholarships to needy students for private and institutional music programs. The scholarship was named after Burt Harris who recently passed away after a battle with cancer. Burt was a music lawyer and fierce advocate for music and musicians. Burt's passion for all things music will be carried on through this scholarship program.

With the generous donations from the public, we will be able to help many of these students and individuals not only to gain one on one musical instruction from a professional instructor, but to work toward a brighter future with confidence and passion, be it a profession in music or otherwise. We believe that the gift of music for these students will benefit the community beyond the music sector, as they take their dedication for playing music, and apply that same dedication and passion to the rest of their lives.

DEADLINE: May 2nd 2008

GUIDELINES & INSTRUCTIONS: click here (word document)

APPLICATION FORM: click here (word document)

Ten (10) $500 scholarship awards will be given to individuals age 25 and under who can show a financial need, to help pay for private instruction in Canada for a musical instrument.

Five (5) $1000 scholarship awards will be given to individuals age 25 and under who can show a financial need, to help pay for tuition for a music program at a post secondary institution in Canada.

This program is not for career training for positions in the music industry, so no applications for funding for an entertainment business management program, etc will be eligible.

This program will be based on passion and a willingness to learn, over any music experience. This is open to experienced musicians to individuals who have never had the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument.

The Adopt an Instrument Program
With music programs being cut across the province, this program encourages people to donate new or used instruments (or cash) in exchange for a charity tax receipt. The first pilot project was with the Vancouver inner-city elementary school Lord Roberts Elementary for 2006/2007. The Music BC Charitable Foundation has been accepting cash donations, and well-loved used instruments in order to support and sustain the Lord Roberts Elementary school music program.

The Music BC Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce the success of the pilot program for Lord Roberts Elementary. The Foundation was able to raise funds through private donations, and donated instruments in order to provide 126 instruments to the elementary school so their progressive music program could continue.

The Foundation is asking any other elementary and highschools around BC to contact the Foundation if their school is in a similar situation. Together, the Music BC Charitable Foundation, the school, and the school's community can hopefully provide the resources to keep these music programs alive in our schools.

TO DONATE/ CONTACT INFO
For more information on the above programs, or to make a donation, please contact amanda@musicbc.org or phone 604.873.1914

Please make cheques payable to: Music BC Charitable Foundation

Send to:

Music BC Charitable Foundation
Attention: Amanda Schweers
#530- 425 Carrall St
Vancouver, BC V6B 6E3