CHANGES
MusiCounts Learn Keeps
Students Engaged with
Music While at Home
Canada’s Independent Live Music Industry Rallies Together;
Says More Support Needed to Survive Shutdowns
Hundreds of Canadian independent venues, agencies, promoters, production companies,
and festivals have formed a new coalition called the Canadian Independent Venue Coalition
(CIVC), which is advocating to governments for emergency support funding and an economic
recovery plan in the live music and touring industries.
Using the hashtag #SupportCanadianVenues, the CIVC is also rallying musicians and music
fans to support their local venues and has some major supporters in the artist community,
including the members of Broken Social Scene and METZ. The new group is an offshoot
of the Canadian Live Music Association and works with it and other Canadian industries,
businesses, and non-profits in its advocacy.
The group says that industry research has indicated that 96% of the Canadian independent
music industry, including more than 90% of independent venues, risks closing for
good if the current shutdowns continue for just a couple more months in the absence of
a very significant financial aid package. CIVC is asking the Federal Government to commit
substantial emergency funding and an economic stimulus plan for the unfunded live
music and touring sector in Canada. The CIVC has also launched a petition on Change.org
addressed to the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
For more information, go to www.supportcanadianvenues.ca.
MusiCounts has created a new program
to help teachers and parents keep
students engaged with music education
at home. MusiCounts Learn is a space
for teachers and parents to #StayInTune
with the latest resources and conversations
around music education in Canada.
This will help ensure more kids have
access to music education, both inside
and outside of the classroom.
So far, the initiative includes: a
curated database of music education
resources to help facilitate at-home
music education; a remote music blog
series with input from teachers, parents,
and artists across the country discussing
various tactics to facilitate remote music
education; a virtual town hall, the first of
which took place on May 19 th on Musi-
Counts’ Facebook page; a virtual music
education event calendar; and more.
For more information, go to www.
musicounts.ca/musicountslearn.
Graham Henderson Steps Down as CEO of Music Canada
After more than 15 years in the role, Graham Henderson has stepped down as the president and CEO
of Music Canada. The announcement was made on May 28 th and Henderson’s last day was June 17,
2020. Music Canada’s board of directors has appointed Jackie Dean, COO, and Patrick Rogers, VP of
corporate affairs, to serve as interim co-CEOs while a search for a permanent replacement is underway.
On behalf of the board, Chairperson Jennifer M. Sloan said: “We thank Graham for guiding Music
Canada through a period of phenomenal growth and transition, including his dogged domestic and international
championing of copyright reform and protection. Graham has led Music Canada’s transformation,
strengthening our executive team and developing a clear strategic path forward as the trusted
voice of the music industry in Canada and a recognized global partner.”
For more information, contact Music Canada: 416-967-7272, [email protected],
www.musiccanada.com.
GRAHAM HENDERSON
14 CANADIAN MUSICIAN