P.E.I.'s Music Monday celebration to be biggest yet

It may be your only opportunity to hear a choir of 500 Island children singing the same song.

P.E.I.'s Music Monday celebrations, planned for Credit Union Place inSummersidetodayand hosted by singer-songwriterMeaghanBlanchard, will feature 800 students andbe the province's largest ever.

• Music Monday: Chris Hadfield's song from space crosses Canada

Music Monday is an annual celebration of music education in Canada that began in 2004. The biggest Music Monday was likely in 2013 when astronautChris Hadfield sang from the International Space Station in a Canada-wide simulcast.

Just bringing music into their lives enhances and enriches their experiences, and provides them oftentimes with life skills that we wouldn't get otherwise. Don Quarles, Music Monday P.E.I. organizer

Students from schools across the Island are taking part in the concert extravaganza. Three stages have beenset up and there'sroom for at least 2,500 spectators.

"The power of young voices is incredible, but 500 of them I think will be an amazing experience for the audience," said DonQuarles, a board member of Canada's Coalition for Music Education, a national non-profit that supports music education in schools and communities.

'So fierce that nothing can go wrong'

Choirs from 31 different schools have been rehearsing the same songand willpractice together for the first time Monday morning, but Quarles is convinced it will all go smoothly.

"Once we get everyone in that room, the energy is going to be so fierce that nothing can go wrong," he said.

The theme is "Women's Empowerment ThroughMusic," marking 100 years since Canadian women were legally allowed to vote. It will also feature the Bluefield High School band, Three Oaks Senior High School's R&B Band, UPEIBrass Quintet, female acapellagroup Sirens, ukelele player Jordan Cameron,Acadian group 112 Accords and more.

Admission is by donation and everyone is welcome.

"We would like people to just come out and support music and music education and enjoy the day," Quarles said, adding Music Monday is for the enjoyment of both participants and the audience.

Academic success

He says there are strong links between music education and success in math, English and sciences which is something Canada's Coalition for Music Education is dedicated to fostering.

"We feel and many others feel that just bringing music into their lives enhances and enriches their experiences, and provides them oftentimes with life skills that we wouldn't get otherwise," Quarles said.

These skillsincludecollaboration and teamwork.

The last few years, P.E.I.'s Music Monday concert has been at Trinity United Church, which can hold about 1,000 people.