| On Monday, May 4, students, educators, musicians and communities across Canada will come together at the same moment to sing and play “Hold On”, the iconic 1979 anthem by Triumph, as part of Music Monday, the country’s largest annual celebration of music education, bringing renewed energy to its message of resilience, unity and perseverance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMpPeTIjEv4 “Each year, we see the impact Music Monday can have when people come together across the country, and last year was a powerful example of that, with over 200,000 participants in over 600 communities,” said Stacey Sinclair, Executive Director of the Coalition for Music Education in Canada. “What makes this year especially meaningful is the message behind “Hold On”. Its lyrics speak to resilience, hope and perseverance, and that is something students connect with in a very real way.” Music education is inherently cross generational, shaped by artists and educators and carried forward through students and families. “Music was fundamental to my childhood. I started piano lessons at age four and joined my school choir in grade one, and it never really stopped,” said Shannon Johnston, a high school music teacher at Streetsville Secondary School in Mississauga, daughter of Triumph’s Rik Emmett, and mother to one of the young musicians performing on Music Monday this year. “As a teacher, I see every day how essential it is for students to have access to music education, especially for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity. Music gives students a sense of belonging, confidence and a way to express themselves. It is not an extra, it is fundamental to how young people learn, connect and find their voice.” Johnston, who has been teaching for 20 years, traces her path to music education back to her own high school experience at Lorne Park Secondary School, where she was given the opportunity in Grade 12 to direct the Junior Jazz Band. That experience, selecting repertoire, leading rehearsals and creating arrangements, helped her realize that her passion was not about being in the spotlight, but about helping others find their talent and working together to create something meaningful. In Toronto, Music Monday will be anchored by a signature live event at Hugh’s Room Live on May 4, bringing together student performers, educators and special guests for a live, multi artist program leading into the national sing-along at 12:30 p.m. In Mississauga, Johnston will lead the Music Monday Peel Music Showcase at the Living Arts Centre on the evening of May 4, featuring more than 250 students from 56 schools. The event will culminate in a large scale finale performance of “Hold On” with over 200 singers and 55 instrumentalists sharing the stage. The lead up to Music Monday will also include a public activation at Union Station on April 24, coinciding with Triumph’s hometown 50th anniversary concert at Scotiabank Arena. Each year, Music Monday brings together thousands of students, educators, musicians and community members who simultaneously sing and play the same song, creating the world’s largest event dedicated to raising awareness for music education. With the event date approaching, schools and communities can still register to take part. Participation is free and includes access to teaching resources, audio and video materials, arrangements, lyric sheets and online learning sessions. To register, visit www.musicmonday.ca. ABOUT MUSIC MONDAY The annual Music Monday event is the signature program of The Coalition for Music Education in Canada. Since its inception in 2005, Music Monday has touched the lives of millions of students and teachers across Canada, who take their music programs into their communities to perform the same song on the same day, at the same time, uniting the entire country in song. As we prepare for this landmark event, it’s clear that now, more than ever, music has the power to connect us all. Previous years’ anthems have included contributions from notable artists such as Luke Doucet, Serena Ryder, Dala, Chris Tait (Chalk Circle), Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield with Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies, and legendary Canadian singer-songwriters Marc Jordan and Ian Thomas. Music Monday would not be possible without the support of the NAMM Foundation, Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, Yamaha Music Canada, CMIEC, Caju Multi Media, Metalworks Studios, Metalworks Institute, SoundsUnite, Victoria Lord PR and Universal Music Group. ABOUT THE COALITION FOR MUSIC EDUCATION The Coalition for Music Education in Canada exists to raise awareness of the vital role music education plays in our schools and the profound benefits music engagement brings to individuals and communities. Quality music education is a cornerstone of a well-rounded education, nurturing creativity, enhancing academic performance, building emotional resilience, and fostering social connection. For more information, visit www.coalitioncanada.ca. ABOUT TRIUMPH Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees, Triumph epitomized arena rock in the 1980s, known for their virtuoso musicianship, soaring melodies and dynamic live shows. Formed in Toronto in 1975 by Rik Emmett, Mike Levine and Gil Moore, the band broke through with their 1979 album Just a Game, which featured the hit single “Hold On”. Triumph was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2008 and Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2019, and in October 2025, into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2026, the band returns to the stage for a North American 50th anniversary tour, their first in more than three decades, kicking off April 22 in Sault Ste. Marie with dates across Canada before continuing into the United States. |
Students And Communities Across Canada Come Together May 4 In A Coast-To-Coast Sing-Along, As Triumph Kicks Off Its 50th Anniversary Tour
