Kawartha Youth Orchestra is one of 25 community organizations across Canada that are receiving a collective $400,000 worth of musical instruments, equipment, and resources through the SiriusXM Soundwaves MusiCounts Community Fund.
MusiCounts is Canada’s music education charity associated with the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and the Juno Awards. The SiriusXM Soundwaves MusiCounts Community Fund is a new partnership between MusiCounts and audio entertainment company SiriusXM Canada.
The fund awards grants up to $20,000 for musical instruments, equipment, and resources to community groups or not-for-profit organizations that deliver music programs to youth up to the age of 25.
“For young people, making music with peers in their communities is a powerful force for building a sense of belonging,” says MusiCounts president Kristy Fletcher in a media release. “Kids are facing unprecedented mental health challenges and connecting with each other through music can be a critical support. MusiCounts is so grateful to partner with SiriusXM Canada on this program to deliver the much-needed funds to organizations doing incredible work with music.”
Based in Peterborough, Kawartha Youth Orchestra is a community organization offering music and orchestra training to children and youth from elementary to post-secondary levels, including the Upbeat! Downtown after-school music program for children living in Peterborough who are interested in music and face barriers accessing music education.
Since 1997, MusiCounts has awarded over $18 million in support of music education in Canada supporting over 1,500 schools and communities as well as more than 290 post-secondary music program graduates, 18 music teachers, and seven philanthropists.
