Major streaming event TONIGHT: #UnpluggedTogether in support of Healing in Harmony program for trauma survivors
I’m involved in a program designed to help survivors of trauma like war and extreme poverty through music therapy. Here’s the full story about the program and its first event on August 5. -AC]
Make Music Matter uses the creative process as a therapeutic tool to help empower marginalized individuals and communities. Its innovative Healing in Harmony program for trauma survivors combines psychotherapy with music therapy. Research published in April 2021 has demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Program participants emerge as empowered artists with original songs for personal healing and advocacy tools to help combat stereotypes, stigma, and shame. Their music is recorded, produced, and disseminated via local radio stations, community concerts, social media, and major streaming platforms through A4A Records, with distribution through Warner Music Canada. A ground-breaking new publishing model helps to ensure that all royalties from the songs are sent back to the artists and their communities, regardless of socio-economic circumstances.
Developed in close partnership with 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Denis Mukwege, the Healing in Harmony model integrates existing holistic programs. Make Music Matter works in 8 countries – DRC, Rwanda, Turkey, Guinea, South Africa, Uganda, and Peru – with a first Canadian site at Fox Lake Cree Nation, Manitoba, set to begin in 2021.
Make Music Matter presents #UnpluggedTogether, a one-of-a-kind online event series to help fuel conversations on mental health and the healing power of music while raising funds for its innovative therapy program.
Hosted by renowned broadcaster Alan Cross, the series features exclusive performances, candid interviews, and interactive Q&A with celebrated Canadian artists including The Trews, Cone McCaslin (Sum 41), and Ian D’Sa (Billy Talent).
Newly appointed Make Music Matter Board Chair and three-time Grammy Award winner David Bottrill is the show’s producer. He explains: “I’m very excited by our new series of studio performances. With this project, we’re building community and bringing together leaders in different areas of the music industry who are dedicated to making a difference. It’s also a unique opportunity for fans to get up close and personal, even if virtually, with the artists who support Make Music Matter’s mission.”
Tickets for the debut episode are available now:
#UnpluggedTogether feat. The Standstills and Neil Sanderson (Three Days Grace)
August 5
$15
Further event dates will be announced soon.
Event sponsors include: (Gold) Canadian Musician magazine, Canadian Music Week, A Journal of Musical Things, Revolution Recording, Union Sound Company, Mainstation Music, YSL Pro, Bandzoogle, Grant Thornton, Sonic Boom, Null & Void, Kinspira, BLKWTR, A4A Music; (Silver) Long & McQuade, Mike Ormsby/Studio Jiimaan; (Media) 102.1 The Edge.
