Two Surrey schools receive MusiCounts grants for musical equipment

Prince Charles Elementary and Kwantlen Park Secondary are about to turn up the volume, thanks to funding from MusiCounts, a Canadian music education charity.

MusiCounts has selected Surrey's Prince Charles Elementary and Kwantlen Park Secondary as two out of 95 schools nationwide to receive grants for musical instruments, equipment and resources through its Band Aid Program.

The program grants up to $15,000 for high-need schools to furnish or refurbish their music programming, with the 95 chosen schools receiving a combined total of $1 million in grants. The funding was announced virtually on the charity's TikTok account by Arkells singer and guitarist Max Kerman.

"The $1 million we're awarding will transform what music education looks like at these schools," said MusiCounts executive director Kristy Fletcher. "We're so proud to be supporting new and existing music programs, that represent all styles of music instruction to support young Canadians' heritage, traditions, and interests."

The charity noted 65% of this year's recipient schools reported an annual budget of $500 or less for music education, highlighting the importance of the grants to replace old and broken instruments at schools with higher needs. Additionally, funding is prioritized for schools that support BIPOC youth with culturally specific programming. Of the recipient schools, nearly 40% identified as supporting large populations of BIPOC youth.

The grants can also be used to help fund recording studios, workshops and music ensembles, among other needs identified by individual schools. Kwantlen Park Secondary is purchasing a full set of new guitars with the funding!

For more information on the MusiCounts Band Aid Program, visit musicounts.ca