HJBF to Support School Music Programs/ ECMA showcase line ups

Fredericton school music programs are getting more support from the Harvest Jazz and Blues Music in the Schools Grant Program and the Festival hopes to raise more dollars at its ECMA weekend-long showcase to support the program.

The Festival, which is nominated for ECMA Event of the Year, announced today grant support for four Fredericton schools. These schools applied to the program for assistance in acquiring music instruments and equipment.

Leo Hayes High school received $3000 to purchase a new electric keyboard; Garden Creek School gets $1400 to purchase percussion instruments; Nashwaaksis Middle School was awarded $2000 to repair exciting instruments and purchase new instruments; and Priestman Street Elementary received $1000 towards the continued development of their music program.

The Festival has distributed more than $50,000 in funding over the past 4 years through its Music in the Schools Grant Program. Money for the program is raised through tip jars at the festival and patron donations made during free Festival concerts.

The grant program is aimed at supporting school music programs, which have struggled to find adequate financial resources in recent years.

“Fredericton has a vibrant music scene today due to strong school music programs in the 80’s and 90’s,” says Harvest Music Director Brent Staeben. “In the past decade, lack of government support has substantially weakened these programs and that’s been undermining our music community,” he adds.

“Unless we see a restoration of support for school music programs, there are going to be far fewer New Brunswick musicians in the future and that will be a loss for all of us,” says Staeben.

“In a year that the Province is hosting the East Coast Music Awards, we hope government will recognize the importance of these programs and increase the financial resources available to schools across the province for music education.”

The Festival is also dedicating 100% of the revenue from its ECMA Harvest Jazz and Blues Showcase Stage to the Music in the Schools Grant Program. Patrons of the weekend-long showcases at the James Joyce Pub will be asked to donate what they can to the program. There is no set ticket price.

The Harvest ECMA jazz and blues showcase will run three consecutive nights during the ECMAs. Showcases start at 7:30pm and run till close. Each evening will showcase six or more Atlantic Canadian acts.

On Thursday, Feb. 7, the showcase will feature blues by Shaggy Dogs, Isaac and Blewett, Ryan LeBlanc, Rick Fines, Matt Anderson and a blues party jam with Matchstick Mike.

Friday, Feb. 8, will feature The Joel LeBlanc Quartet, Tom Easley and Bill Stevenson, Duane Andrews, Gypsophilia, Tonic, and a blues party jam with the Downtown Blues Band.

Saturdy, Feb. 9, will see showcases by Chris Kirby, Keith Hallett, Ross Nielsen, Hot Toddy, Thom Swift and a blues party jam by Shirley Jackson and her Good Rockin’ Daddies.