MusiCounts, Roland Canada and SiriusXM Canada, are excited to announce that Burnaby, BC’s Alpha Secondary has won the first ever MusiCounts Roland Jam Pak, presented by SiriusXM Canada! The new initiative will fill the school’s music room with a jam-band collection of instruments worth over $12,000. The pack will include a drum kit, digital piano, synthesizer, amps, and a number of other great accessories to add to the school’s instrument collection and music program.
Doug McGarry, Education Manager for Roland Canada says “We are pleased to support MusiCounts in their efforts to encourage and improve music education in Canada through sponsoring of this first-ever MusiCounts Roland Jam Pak presented by SiriusXM Canada. We believe these instruments coupled with the creativity of the teachers and students will inspire the joy of making music for many years to come. We wish to thank all the schools who submitted their applications and congratulate Alpha Secondary School for being selected as the recipient.”
Alpha Secondary is a school that was built in the 1950s located in Burnaby, BC. With a population of 850 students, approximately 25% of the school is registered in music courses. In 2007, there were roughly 50 students in the music program. With the great support of the parents and the community, the program has quadrupled in 5 years. Currently they offer Junior Band, Intermediate Band, Senior Band, Jazz Band, Guitar, Concert Choir and Music Technology/Composition.
This incredible prize from MusiCounts, Roland, and SiriusXM Canada will allow families who typically could not afford an instrument for their child to now have a golden opportunity to be involved in a very special music program.
“The students and staff of Alpha Secondary School are thrilled to be the recipients of the MusiCounts Roland Jam Pak. This grant from Roland and MusiCounts, presented by SiriusXM Canada, will provide our school music program with electronic music equipment that will significantly impact our students and our growing music program. This equipment will be used not only to support curriculum but also to expand our music technology and composition program and to enhance the quality of school events and extra-curricular activities,” said Paul Dudley, Visual & Performing Arts Department Head, Music Teacher.
The MusiCounts Roland Jam Pak contest, presented by SiriusXM Canada, was open to all public Jr. High and Secondary Schools within Canada. All equipment and delivery of the Jam Pak to the winning school is provided by Roland Canada, with MusiCounts overseeing the selection process and SiriusXM Canada providing the financial support to administer the program.
“We are thrilled about Alpha Secondary’s win and that we could participate in the MusiCounts Roland Jam Pak initiative. Expanding music programs, promoting music education and fostering the development of technical proficiency are all essential to the success and growth of Canadian musical talent. Since 2005, SiriusXM Canada has played a leading role in supporting Canadian emerging artists and we see this as an early opportunity for Alpha Secondary School students to grow their passion for music,” said Andréanne Sasseville, Director of Canadian Content and Industry Relations of SiriusXM Canada.
For a copy of the press release, please click here:
