National ‘Music Monday:’ Canadians in harmony across the country

From his iPad, to the piano, to classrooms across the nation – Nicholas Ma composed Music Monday’s Song of Celebration “Music is Our Medicine,” and Canadians will sing it in unison on May 2 at 12:30 p.m. eastern.

Organized by the Coalition for Music Education in Canada, the annual event highlights the importance of music in our lives, and in our schools.

“The thought that so many people across Canada are going to be singing this piece, yeah, It’s just incredible,” says Ma, award-winning composer.

From Oakville, Ontario, the musician fell in love with playing piano at just four years old. Today, he’s pursuing a double major in Piano Performance and Composition at Montreal’s McGill University.

“I can’t imagine being separated from music,” says Ma. “It has this ability to connect and like, just touch people’s hearts.”

After being selected to compose this years song for Music Monday – Ma’s heart was touched. Collaborating with the Music Monday team and French-Canadian Indigenous lyricist, Mimi O’Bonsawin, he says was an honour.

“When I was sent the first draft of the lyrics, I was just like working it out while sitting in a middle of some class rehearsal,” he says. “I was just doodling [down notes] in my iPad.”

Marking it’s 18^th year, Music Monday is taking place virtually. One can tune in to the “CoalitionCanada” YouTube channel for their all-day programming.

“Some schools will have a concert, some schools will have multiple schools that will get together to perform together, some schools just do things maybe in their classroom,” says Stacey Sinclair, executive director of Coalition for Music Education in Canada. “Celebrating Music Monday is anything that you want it to be.”

Registration is free and you can unlock access to resources like anthem sheet music, learning guides, and recordings.

“We have a tremendous number of schools and educators that register, but you can register as a office, as a individual, as a home,” explains Sinclair.

“When talking about people that I’m thankful to, like Coalition, my composition teacher, also like just very thankful for my parents for putting me on the path of music,” Ma says, getting emotional. “Without their support, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am here today.”