One Heart: Spring Campaign

G-R-O-W-I-N-G into Greatness!

Dear Supporters ,

Let’s sing for SONG! This latest season has been filled with jaw-dropping growth and new adventures. YOU helped our biggest year yet happen! New instructors helped us explore and improve programming. We had record-setting enrollment of 130+ students (up 40%) and brought music-making into the community with concerts, carolling, coffee houses and more. 

We are giving more music to Northumberland kids than ever before!

We knew this year would be big for us and it still surprised us. Teaching students from grade 1 to 12—our largest spread yet—we offered skillbuilding in choral, strings, SONGtech and online classes. Our kids got to perform on the Cameco Capitol Theatre Stage, participate in workshops, run live sound at community performances, and compose their own music. We made music in more ways than we’ve done before.

Artistic Director Lucas Marchand helped reach more students bringing us into new schools. Seizing an opportunity, SONG partnered with the Gryphon Trio at Ganaraska Trails in a year-long artistic outreach program “Listen UP!” where students collaboratively created a performance with industry professionals  (see https://gryphontrio.com/projects/listen-up/).

Coming out of COVID, SONG knew that youth were among the hardest hit, and we addressed Northumberland’s lack of youth programming head on. Our monthly Youth Coffee Houses have been a runaway success, creating a space for young performers to gain experience in front of  standing-room-only crowds (and catching Canadian Rockers, cleopatrick’s interest!) We’re building tomorrow’s talent together. 

Our commitment to mentorship resulted in staggering opportunities for local youth. Workshops with Grammy award winner Larnell Lewis and Joy Lapps, a concert and mentorship from International sensations Natalie MacMaster and Donell Leahy, songwriting with Juno award winner William Prince, and performing live with Lydia Persaud at Cultivate’s Hibernate Festival. Our kids are learning from the best in the business! 

DID YOU KNOW? The average cost for one student to participate in SONG programming was $825 for a year, or $67 per month.

SONG is a chance for connection, positive self-expression, and … it’s fun! Your support creates ongoing social development opportunities for children and youth, builds resilience, fosters mental wellness, and creates joy. All of this is made possible through your support.

 And by the way? We’re just getting started! Next year’s plans will astonish you! We’re bringing more classes, more collaborations and more music. Your help now means all of these opportunities for our kids remain *FREE*!

Join us at our Spring Spotlight Concert, Apr 30 at the Cameco Capitol Arts Centre.

Your gift of $50, $100, $250 or even $500 helps us continue delivering music and opportunity to young people in Northumberland. Donate today and double your donation! We’re thrilled to report: Our secret donor will match every donation made up to $10K!! 

Interested in other support? Contact our Executive Director, Miles Bowman to discuss your options (ed@songprogram.org).

Thank you for your generosity.

Sincerely, Your SONG Team