Students held a free concert today (May 1) at Robson Square in downtown Vancouver as part of an annual event promoting music education in schools.

Known as Music Monday, the nationwide event organized by the Coalition for Music Education is on its 13^th year.

Conductor Bramwell Tovey was at hand to lead the mass performance of Sing It Together, the new anthem of Music Monday.

The music director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra said in an interview before the performance that everyone should support music education.

According to Tovey, seeing so many talented young people presents him with some important reminders.

“I get reminded of the fact that music is an incredible stimulus of quality of life, and giving young people a focus and a language that can describe the narrative of their own lives,” Tovey told the Georgia Straight. “And I’m reminded of how tremendous it is as an inspiration for the listener as much as it is for the performer.”

“And it’s very important that we bring music in our schools, realize the enormous benefits that come from music,” Tovey continued, “and that I invite politicians of all persuasions in this [B.C. provincial] election period to support music education in schools, because I think it’s really one of the best investments that any politician can ever make.”

Student musicians from Vancouver, Burnaby, and North Vancouver performed Sing It Together, a song written by Marc Jordan and Ian Thomas to honour the 150^th anniversary of Canada this year.