MUSIC EDUCATION ADVOCACY
The Coalition for Music Education in Canada plays a central role in advocating, supporting, and growing music education across the country through several key areas:
1.National Advocacy Campaigns & Events
Music Monday: An annual nationwide event mobilizing schools, communities, and music champions to sing (and play) together—raising awareness and calls for equitable music programming. In 2025, over 225,000 participants in 800+ locations took part.
Create media campaigns to raise public awareness, amplify key messages, and mobilize support for programs under threat.
2. Research & Policy Foundations
Commissioned and published Everything is Connected: A Landscape of Music Education, a comprehensive national study (with partners like CMEA, Music Canada, MusiCounts, and universities). This report maps current strengths, gaps, and inequities in music education—and guides future advocacy and policy work. Launched our new Fellowship program in 2025, to dig deeper into the themes from the national study.
Organized a National Music Education Policy Summit (October 2024) gathering leaders (40+ delegates across education, health, community music, and more) to develop a strategic, cross-sector advocacy plan for music education.
3. Youth Leadership & Community Engagement
Youth4Music: A youth-led initiative empowering students across Canada to design and lead music advocacy events and campaigns and create the next generation of empowered music educators and musicians.
Hosts youth symposia, awards (like NUFSICISUM Youth Leadership Awards), and community events helping young voices shape music education priorities.
4. Networking & Leadership Development
Chairs a National Music Education Leadership Forum, fostering collaboration among major music organizations (e.g., Canadian Music Educators’ Association, Orchestras Canada, Carl Orff Canada) to coordinate advocacy, share best practices, and form a unified voice.
5, Tools for Advocates & Educators
Publishes advocacy resources—brochures, toolkits, advocacy guides, surveys—to help parents, educators, and community leaders champion quality music programs. Distributes curriculum infographics by province, updates on policy/practice, and research data to inform stakeholders and policymakers.
We are a registered Canadian charity with a clear mission: Inform, Advocate, Celebrate, and Connect all who care about music education.
We support students, teachers, community music organizations and music-makers of all ages and abilities. We gather data, build networks, and promote lifelong musical involvement.