The Coalition for Music Education has commissioned a new Music Monday anthem to commemorate our musical heritage in the year of Canada's 150 celebrations.

Co-written by award-winning songwriters Marc Jordan and Ian Thomas, Sing It Together was unveiled Wednesday and is now available in various languages and arrangements to be used in this year's Music Monday celebration on May 1 in cities across the country and anchored by a showcase event in the nation's capital.

"Over the past 12 years, millions of voices have joined together on Music Monday to raise awareness about the value of learning music for children and youth in our schools and communities," says Holly Nimmons, Executive Director, Coalition for Music Education in Canada.

"Music lives in every community of our country. It's like a heartbeat across our nation, connecting music makers of all generations and backgrounds. What better way to celebrate the country's 150th year than with a coast-to-coast-to-coast event that unites us as we 'Sing It Together'?"

The 2017 Music Monday sing-along will be led by a live-streamed national showcase concert from Ottawa, in recognition of the sesquicentennial year. It will also continue last year's #MMC2C2C initiative with a day-long webcast of videos from music programs. This year, the webcast includes the northern coastline that is home to many indigenous people.

Co-writer Marc Jordan is Songwriter Chair at the Slaight Family Music Lab, Canadian Film Centre, and has had his songs covered by numerous artists including Rod Stewart (currently writing with Stewart for his next album), Joe Cocker, Josh Groban, Shawn Colvin, Bonnie Raitt and Diana Ross.

Collaborator Ian Thomas has had almost a dozen Top 20 records, written for international artists, composed for 22 feature films and been honored with a Juno, four SOCAN Classic trophies and a UNICEF Humanitarian Award.

The recording and video feature Inuit throat singing, Métis fiddling, indigenous drumming, and children's choirs in celebration of Canadian musical heritages.

"Music is the landscape of Canada," explains Marc Jordan. "We hope it will be a song that illuminates the mosaic of music and cultures that thrive in every corner of the country".

Sing It Together was recorded at Canterbury Music and features Youth4Music musicians and advocates who are part of a national network of youth leaders.

Visitors to the Music Monday website can view the video of the original recording of Sing It Together, download music and lyrics, and register to add their voice to the annual celebration. 

Those wishing to participate in Music Monday 2017 are invited to visit www.musicmonday.ca for more information and to find ways to get involved, such as learning "Sing It Together" to join in the nationwide sing-along, creating a school or community event, or submitting a video to be included in the nationwide #MMC2C2C webcast on Music Monday. Videos must be from within Canada and relate to Canadian schools, music groups, businesses or community programs.  Preference will be given to performances of Canadian music.