ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Enriching the lives of kids . . . one note at a time

IT’S ALL ABOUT HELPING KIDS SUCCEED

Twila, voice, vocal quartet & choir

We know that kids love music wherever they live, whatever their means. Based on that idea, Regent Park School of Music was founded in 1999.

For 16 years, young people from challenging neighbourhoods have studied music at our school. Thanks to the generous contributions we have received this year, 1,700 kids across Toronto are reaping the benefits of a music education.

On stage—they learn to sing, play and perform. Back stage—we build character, showing them the value of dedication, hard work and co-operation. Their aspirations rise as they discover a path to a rich future. Year after year we watch students blossom, graduate from high school and go on to college and university.

In short, music helps kids succeed in life.

On behalf of everyone at RPSM, we sincerely thank you for investing in these remarkable children, building a great community and making Toronto a better place.

RICHARD MARSELL A Executive Director Regent Park School of Music

MICHELLE ROTH Chair, Board of Directors Regent Park School of Music

Piano Violin TRUMPET FluteCL ASSICAL GUITAR Saxophone

VOICE Cello CHOIR Steel Pan BUCKET DRUMMING Percussion

Hand Chimes Recorder MELODICAElectric Guitar Nonsense OrchestraFiddle Early Childhood Music

Clarinet Ukulele TENORI-ON iPad THEORY Music History Ear Training Improvisation Composition Turntable HARMONY TABLA Found Sound

Regent Park Jane & Finch ALEXANDRA PARK

ST. JA MES TOWN WillowtreeBridletowne PARKDALE Malvern

Jayden, cello

IN 8 NEIGHBOURHOODS ACROSS TORONTO

RPSM STUDENTS ARE LEARNING

Theron, piano & choir

THIS YEAR’S HIGHLIGHTS

10 STUDENTS premiered the first Park Songbook with original songs written by fellow students

8 STUDENTS graduated . . . ALL BOUND

FOR UNIVERSITY

100 STUDENTS from the Regent Park

& Parkdale choirs performed with the Toronto Symphony

Orchestra

95 STUDENTS from the First Nations School of Toronto took part in a six week RPSM

musical adventure

60 STUDENTS passed their Royal

Conservatory of Music Exams

75 STUDENTS sang with Fred Penner & Lorraine Segato at CRESCENDO 2015

presented by Element Financial

30 STUDENTS from Jane & Finch started a new choir with

Sergeant Stephen Hicks of 31 Division

22 STUDENTS shared the day with Sarah McLachlan

and our friends from Sun Life Financial

1,700 STUDENTS

received a music education

““

Malcolm, percussion ensemble, drums & steel pan

WHAT OUR TEACHERS SAY ABOUT RPSM STUDENTS

“The thing about teaching the kids at Regent Park School of Music is that they are HUNGRY TO LEARN and WILLING TO TRY ANYTHING. All we have to do is set up the right environment to share our musical skills. Once that’s done, they astound us all.”

“The kids come in curious and adventurous with a boundless, unchannelled energy that just needs an outlet. As they begin to master their instrument they become creative, dedicated, enthusiastic, responsible and respectful young people who make great music, great friends and have an absolute blast while doing it.”

““I find the kids here stick to it for years and years. It’s really emotional when they leave. One of my graduating students just wrote me a card which I think sums up what seems to happen over and over again.”

Thank you for teaching me how to play the piano. It’s been a short 10 years

(probably more), and I’m sad that it was all the time we had. You’ve

pushed me to keep going in piano even though I hated pushing those

stupid keys at the beginning, and the

resultant sound always turned out harsh and impatient. I like to think that I’ve managed to

temper that sound with a healthy appreciation for music due to your

consistent efforts. It seems to have worked out somehow, since people

actually compliment me when I practice in public. Here’s to you,

Susmita. You’ve made at least one kid

fall prey to the unbreakable clutches

of the mad beast known as music, so your efforts weren’t in vain.

— DANIEL, RPSM 2015 Graduate

We are pleased to recognize the following individuals and organizations for their generous gift, current pledge and CRESCENDO sponsorship of $1,000 or more over the past fiscal year (July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015).

“Sun Life Financial is pleased to financially support Regent Park School of Music and create once-in-a lifetime experiences for students; including the opportunity to meet Ms. Sarah McLachlan, tickets to her concert, and even perform for her.”Ms. Sarah McLachlan, Paul Joliat, AVP Philanthropy & Sponsorships, Sun Life Financial and RPSM students

THANK YOU FROM ALL THE KIDS AT RPSM

$100,000–$200,000The Ralph M. Barford Foundation Carswell Family Foundation

$50,000–$99,999Gordon and Ruth Gooder Charitable Foundation Scotiabank

$25,000–$49,999Element Financial Corporation Linda Javorski Sun Life Financial

Toronto Arts Council Dale Varney

$10,000–$24,999Bitove Foundation Michael & Catherine Bradley Aaron Brock Foundation Canada Council for the Arts The Daniels Corporation FirstService Corporation The Giving Tree Foundation of

Canada Harbinger and Bing Creative* David & Elizabeth Howard

The Kiwanis Club of Toronto Foundation

The Kololian Foundation Labatt Breweries of Canada The Lewisohn Family Morton Mandelbaum Foundation Manulife Financial Terence & Svea McKillen Foundation The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen

Foundation The Minstrel Foundation

Peter Naylor The Panikkar Family Foundation Len & Vivian Racioppo RBC Foundation The Conn Smythe Foundation Tippet Foundation The Ward Family The R. Howard Webster Foundation Wickware Communications* Ruth Wismer Anonymous (2)

* In-kind donations We strive for accuracy in our listings. Contact us with any errors or omissions.

Amber, piano

$5,000–$9,999Arch Insurance Canada Beacon Securities Cassels Brock & Blackwell Diamond Integrated Marketing Donner Canadian Foundation Brad & Gigi Doores The Thompson T. Egbo-Egbo

Foundation EllisDon The Evershed FamilyFingerStyleGuitar.caJudith Hinchman & Patrick Garver Ivest Properties

The Johansen-Larsen Foundation Lang Family Foundation McCarthy Tétrault Foundation The McLean Foundation Mondelez International NEI Investments Oxford Properties The Pottruff Family Foundation Barrie D. Rose & Family Gary & Louise Sugar Julian Vardy’s CEOL KIDS The WB Family Foundation Anonymous (2)

$1,000–$4,999The Alva Foundation Barrick Gold

Corporation S.M. Blair Family

Foundation Andrew & Ann Brown Canadian Multicultural

Radio Carpenters’ District

Council of Ontario The Lloyd Carr-Harris

Foundation Paul Caston & Cathryn

Gregor CIBC Children’s

Foundation Mitchell Cohen Earlaine Collins Marsha Copp Crawford & Company

(Canada) Inc. Penny Fine Forbes Chochla LLP

A & M Green Foundation Barry Green Chris Hatley & Lindy

Cowan Mr. & Mrs. Fred Hennig Sharon Hudson Jackman Foundation JAZZ.FM91 Christina & Sandy

Kilgour The Henry White Kinnear

Foundation Vicki Loftus The George Lunan

Foundation Marion MacKenzie H. Philip MacLennan Toby Malloy Margaret Norrie McCain John & Cathy

McCartney Mary McMahon Judith & Clinton Miller

Alice J. Morgan Nexus Investment

Management Alfred Page John & Maire Percy Gordon and Jill

Rawlinson Michelle Roth & Peter

Oelbaum Michelle Savoy Carol Shea & Doug

Brady Helen Sinclair Stephen Douglas Sword Tom Thomas Dennis Tmej Triple T Tire & Rubber VocalPoint Chamber

Choir Jane Williamson Stan & Ros Witkin Charles & Marilyn Wright Anonymous

MILENA’S STORY“Regent Park School Music has been the most important community in my life so far. I moved to Toronto when I was 10 and felt really uncomfortable and lonely. Music was my companion. Luckily, my father found Regent Park School of Music. He enrolled me in the choir, which led to violin lessons, then there was an opening for voice lessons, and I’ve been taking private voice lessons with my incredible teacher Zorana ever since. RPSM has given me an important music education, but it has also invited me into its family.

A huge highlight was performing with big artists. With the choir I sang alongside Barenaked Ladies, Nikki Yanofsky and Jackie Richardson. I’m graduating now after eight years and off to study nursing at Ryerson. I can’t wait to see what RPSM has in store for the next generation of students. In the meantime, I am so proud to have been a part of this great place.”

Thank you— MILENA OLIVA, RPSM Class of 2015

WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM

CRESCENDO 2015 Sharon Hudson (Chair) with John Sadler (Element Financial)

2015 Audited financial statements are available upon request. Just call 416 364 8900.

Thanks to our great friends, we raised $1,150,000 to give 1,700 young people music this year

FRIENDS ORGANIZING EVENTS FOR US

5%

GOVERNMENT 5%

TUITION FEESStudents pay as little as $1 a lesson & PERFORMANCE HONORARIA students performed at over 50 events

8%

CRESCENDO 2015Presented by Element Financial and led by Sharon Hudson, our incomparable CRESCENDO Committee Chair

21%

PRIVATE FUNDINGContributions from individuals, foundations and corporations are vital to give children music year after year and help them succeed

61%

DONATE NOW TO HELP KIDS SUCCEED THROUGH MUSIC . . . GO TO WWW.RPMUSIC.ORG

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Regent Park School of MusicMichelle Roth, ChairMartin AbelCatherine BradleySteve GreenidgeBina John

John McGowanJesse MightonLouise SugarChris TaylorJill Witkin

Regent Park School of Music FoundationMartin BlakeAlan FordeSharon HudsonLinda Javorski

Tom KennedyLouise SugarChris TaylorDale Varney

REGENT PARK SCHOOL OF MUSIC585 Dundas Street East, Suite 220 Toronto, ON, M5A 2B7 416.364.8900

Charitable Registration Number: 87211 6025 RR0001

www.rpmusic.org

FRONT COVER: Sofia, violin & choir BACK COVER: Ben, turntable & voice

Design by Diane Robertson