News
News Release – 18 March, 2015
Sistema NB Merits Prime Minister’s Award for Social Innovation
In a season already marked by national and international accolades, the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra (NBYO) has been singled out for special recognition as this year’s Atlantic Canadian winner of the Prime Minister’s Volunteer Award for Social Innovation.
The award, comprising a medal, a certificate, and a cash prize, is one of seventeen presented by the Prime Minister to individuals and organizations across Canada at a ceremony in Toronto on Wednesday, March 18.
Based on the proposition that the best solutions to the challenges facing Canada's communities are often found locally, the Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards recognize the enormous contributions volunteers, innovative not-for-profit organizations and forward‑thinking businesses make to their communities through voluntary contributions and innovative ideas and approaches to address social challenges.
The award honors the success of Sistema NB, the NBYO’s after-school music program for children. Starting six years ago with one teacher and fifty participants, it has grown to the point where today a staff of 40 professional Teaching Artists are working daily with more than 570 children across New Brunswick.
In the words of the official citation, “The New Brunswick Youth Orchestra’s Sistema NB program is transforming the lives of children in profound ways [and providing] compelling evidence that its work […] has been an effective means of improving children's neural development and academic achievement.”
“We feel both proud and humble that this program should be singled out for such distinction,” said NBYO President & CEO, Ken MacLeod. “We are proud of the dedication of the children, of their personal and artistic growth, and of the beautiful things they are accomplishing. We feel humbled that so many talented, socially motivated artists would choose to move to New Brunswick to teach them. We feel enormous appreciation that governments, both federal and provincial, recognize Sistema as a valuable social investment. And we feel deep gratitude to Larry Nelson of Moncton, who nominated NBYO for this award, and to the many other individuals, business and foundations who have been such generous partners.”
Testimonial letters from a number of individuals supported the nomination for the Prime Minister’s Award. Monique Vautour, Directrice of the École Soleil Levant, Richibucto, NB, wrote: “Sistema NB is a powerful social innovation in our community. It is helping to divert children who are 'at-risk' to more positive outcomes in their lives. It is providing them with motivation, discipline, and teamwork. It is enriching their spirit through music and the joy of playing music together. The children are building confidence and self-esteem.”
John Cawley, Director of Programs and Operations for the J.W.McConnell Foundation expressed similar sentiments. In his view, “Promoting and practicing social inclusion through music education has leveled the playing field for low income families and communities, which is a key characteristic of thriving societies around the world.”
As a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award, the NBYO will receive a cash grant of $5,000. This money will be devoted to the purchase and repair of instruments to be used by children participating in Sistema NB.
Further information about the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra’s Sistema NB program can be found on line at http://sistemanb.ca/
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For more information please contact
Ken MacLeod
President/CEO, New Brunswick Youth Orchestra
506-961-1530
kmacleod@nbyo-ojnb.com