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RBC kicks off JUNO week with a $15,000 donation to MusiCounts
to support music education
ST. JOHN'S, NL, April 15, 2010— RBC Foundation
today announced a $15,000 donation to MusiCounts, The Canadian
Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences' (CARAS) music education
program, to fund the organization's work to nurture and support
music programs for young Canadians across the country and
to help kick off JUNO Week in St. John's.
"We're proud to support the efforts of organizations
that help make a difference in our communities and to the
lives of young people," said Sean Munro, RBC Regional
Vice-President for Newfoundland & Labrador, who credits
his passion for playing guitar to participating in a school
band program from grade six through high school in Bedford,
N.S. "Music education inspires our kids to be creative,
work together and have fun."
Melanie Berry, President and CEO, CARAS and MusiCounts, acknowledged
the contribution at Larkhall Academy, where MusiCounts presented
Susan Lee, the school's music teacher, with a 2009-2010 MusiCounts
BandAid grant to buy new instruments for students.
"We are so appreciative of RBC's continued involvement
in MusiCounts and their generous donation again this year,"
said Melanie Berry. "With commitments from sponsors such
as RBC, we will be able to sustain and grow MusiCounts' ability
to support schools in need across Canada."
MusiCounts, the music education charity of The Canadian Academy
of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is helping keep music
alive in schools across Canada. In partnership with Canada's
music industry, media and business communities, MusiCount's
mission is to ensure that children in Canada have access to
a comprehensive music program through their school. MusiCounts
includes musical instrument grants, the MusiCounts Teacher
of the Year Award, Scholarships and other music education
initiatives.
About RBC
RBC believes in building prosperity by contributing to the
communities in which we live and work. We are now one of Canada's
largest corporate donors, and we support a broad range of
community initiatives, through donations, sponsorships and
employee volunteer activities. In 2009, RBC contributed more
than $105 million to community causes worldwide. As a founding
member of Imagine Canada, RBC is committed to donating at
least one per cent of our average annual net income before
taxes. For more information, please see rbc.com/donations
and rbc.com/responsibility.
About MusiCounts
MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity associated with
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS),
is helping to keep music alive in schools across Canada. MusiCounts'
mission is to ensure that children in Canada have access to
a comprehensive music program through their school. MusiCounts
includes BandAid musical instrument grants, the MusiCounts
Teacher of the Year Award, scholarships and other music education
initiatives. MusiCounts is supported by various initiatives
such as the JUNO Award nominee compilation CD; annual contributions
by CTVglobemedia; EMI Music Canada Inc.; Sony Music Entertainment
Canada Inc.; Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada
Ltd.; as well as Songwriters' Circle sponsored by CMPA and
SOCAN; Juno Cup sponsored by The Keg Steakhouse and Bar; and
individual and corporate contributions, including Astral Media,
Baldwin Pianos, Bob FM, Corus Entertainment, The RBC Foundation,
Rogers Broadcasting Ltd., The Shore 104 FM, and SIRIUS Canada
Inc. Since the Program's establishment in 1997, over $3 and
a half million has been donated impacting 214 post secondary
music program graduates and over 250,000 individual students,
their schools and communities, from coast to coast. MusiCounts
has also honoured five extraordinary music teachers through
the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award. For more information,
please visit: www.musicounts.ca.
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Media Contacts:
RBC
Lori Smith, 902 421-8121, lori.smith@rbc.com
MusiCounts
Katherine Holmes, 416 628-5604, kholmes@hccink.com
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