Non-profit organization MusicCan launched Dec. 1 to help underserved individuals by providing them with free instruments accompanied by three months of music lessons at a local music store.
Through a partnership with Yamaha Canada and through donations, the first two beginner-level guitars will be provided to winners of an online draw Dec. 23 at 10 a.m. on MusicCan's Facebook page.
The organization's focus is on youth for now, but MusicCan's founders hope to expand the initiative to include people of all ages throughout Canada.
MusicCan is the brainchild of Newmarket-based friends and bandmates Glenn Marais and Manny DeGrandis.
Marais and DeGrandis have always been involved in charitable endeavours and try to make it a part of all their performances.
Whether it's using their shows to fundraise for the local food bank or creating an anti-bullying campaign both musicians said it's important to them to give back.
"We're always trying to help out in the community it's just something we believe in, giving back," said Marais.
As fathers and music teachers, youth engagement holds a special place in their hearts. Not being able to visit classrooms or teach due to the pandemic caused a "void," said Marais.
The pandemic became a catalyst to begin MusicCan.
"We realize from our community work how much of an inequity exists with kids . . . we took a look around and saw that there were quite a few sports programs out there but there's not a lot to help kids with music," said Marais. "We said 'why don't we just give kids instrument.' And then we expanded because it's one thing to give a kid an instrument but if you don't provide lessons for them..."
"It's kind of pointless" added DeGrandis, "because you give them a guitar and then they can't afford lessons . . . so with those first three months of lessons it gives them a nice foundation and then they can move further."
Initially Marais and DeGrandis were thinking of providing the music lessons themselves but they soon realized that if the music lessons were provided by another source they could help a child while also supporting local businesses in the community.
"We decided to put money back into the music school. The child gets the guitar, a local music store makes money off of lessons, a teacher makes money off of lessons," said DeGrandis.
MusicCan has acquired six guitars but the initial draw is for just two because additional funding is needed for the accompanying music lessons.
A GoFundMe campaign will be launched next week and the duo have long-term goals of expanding the non-profit across Canada.
"We hooked up with Long & McQuade and they're Canada-wide so if we find a child in Calgary we can get him a guitar and get him lessons in Calgary, it's not just local," said DeGrandis.
It would be nice if the Christmas draw included local children since the organization is "starting out in Newmarket," said DeGrandis, "but at the end of the day we really want whoever is in need to get it."
"Every time we can get money for lessons there goes another child getting one (a guitar), that's the goal. There's not going to be any waiting around," he said.
Details about the upcoming GoFundMe campaign will be listed on MusicCan's Facebook page. Visit the MusicCare Facebook page to submit your name for the live draw or to donate.
