SABIAN Announces $100K Donation to Support Sistema NB

SABIAN, along with Canadian orchestral music program, the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra (NBYO), have announced a $100,000 commitment designed to help transform the musical landscape in New Brunswick, Canada, through the NBYO’s Sistema NB Program.

Unveiled at Sistema NB’s Saint John Centre, the partnership includes $50,000 in funding from SABIAN, paired with an equal value of in-kind instruments to support Sistema NB programs throughout the province. SABIAN will also support Sistema NB through its international network, social media channels and website.

As part of the announcement event, which featured a performance by the Saint John Youth Orchestra, music educator Ian Gibson was named an official SABIAN artist. A percussion teaching artist at Sistema NB’s Saint John Centre and percussion coach for the NBYO, Gibson has more than 20 years of experience as a percussionist and music educator across the country.

“As a global music instrument brand based here in New Brunswick, we can speak to the importance of the impactful work being done by Sistema NB and the NBYO,” said Mike Connell, executive vice president and chief operating officer of SABIAN. “As a company, we want to help musicians create, help students innovate, and help teachers educate, both around the globe and here at home. And we feel that this partnership will do just that. SABIAN is proud to support Sistema NB.”

Launched by the NBYO in 2009, Sistema NB is a free, daily after-school program that uses music to create social change for children who would not otherwise have the opportunity. For three hours a day, five days a week, the program engages over 1,000 young New Brunswickers. Sistema NB is Canada’s largest program of its kind and was awarded the Prime Ministers Award for Social Innovation in March 2015 for its work and leadership.

This collaboration between SABIAN and the NBYO brings together two New Brunswick-based entities that aim to enhance the quality of music education in the province and help students to reach their full potential through learning and performing orchestral music.

“The generosity of SABIAN is simply overwhelming,” said Ken MacLeod, NBYO president and CEO. “Their contribution to the NBYO - to the children and youth of this province - will influence generations. We are particularly grateful that, in addition to their financial support and in-kind donation, they have chosen to honor one of our Teaching Artists, Ian Gibson, as an official SABIAN Artist. That means a lot to Ian and to all of the Sistema NB and NBYO family.”

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