Created and produced by the Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall and launched in 1999, Share the Music is an arts and education outreach program. It exposes eight to 18 year olds to some of the world’s greatest performers and related educational activities.  Ranging from classical to jazz, world music to dance, the performances selected for Share the Music events are part of the regular Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall concert season.  Each performance makes approximately 100 to 200 prime seating tickets available to students from schools and community organizations in lower-income areas. Nearly 1,000 students attended six Share the Music events during the 2005-2006 Season.

“I hope more of these events are held so that young children can fulfill their dreams and look up to a role model,” says one 13-year-old participant. “It’s a great act of kindness.”

An OTF grant allowed Share the Music to more than double the number of annual participants by the 2005/06 season as well as to fund a free Open House at Roy Thomson Hall on September 21, 2003. The Open House was a day-long event for children of all ages that attracted more than 5,000 people and celebrated the diversity of Toronto’s multi-cultural community. 

Saxophonist Jim Galloway and pianist David Braid demonstrate jazz style prior to a concert by the Wayne Shorter Jazz Quartet.

The increasing visibility and impact of Share the Music has been vital in attracting support from other sources. These now include corporate sponsors and a newly created $200,000 endowment fund. This support is essential for the program’s continuing growth and development.       
       
“In just three years we’ve gone from three concerts a year to six and the number of children involved has grown from 300 to 1,000,“ says Heather Clark, director of Marketing and Development for the Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall.  “That’s an accomplishment we may not have been able to achieve without OTF funding.” 

In addition to receiving free tickets, Share the Music participants are invited to private pre-concert workshops created and hosted by local performers or the visiting artist. These workshops are designed to stimulate and broaden the students’ understanding of the art form. The format might be a lecture, demonstration, mini-performance, question and answer session, or any combinations of these. A number of teachers and parents also attend and refreshments are served, providing a multi-generational social experience. 

“Share the Music is truly a community-based program,” says OTF program manager Maja Saletto-Jankovic. “It gives children access to international performers and allows them to experience music from around the globe.  Where else can children talk to world-famous musicians? Share the Music inspires as well as educates.” 

Visiting artists such as Bobby McFerrin and members of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Peru Negro Dance Company, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Canadian Brass have also led workshops.  

“As much as I attempt to prepare the students in advance, nothing beats a live concert opportunity,” says music teacher Mark Kissel. “The concert we attended was a night none of us will ever forget!”

GRANT SUMMARY In 2003, The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall received an OTF grant of $100,000 over three years to expand community outreach activities that promote an appreciation and love of music of all genres and encourage Torontonians, particularly children and youth, to become engaged.