The power of music

Tyndall Park

Transcona

The 11th annual Concert for a Cause took place at Club Regent Event Centre on Oct. 18.

Local musician and event organizer Paul Ong performed for a sold-out audience alongside the Royal Canadian Navy Band of HMCS Chippawa and a choir of elementary-aged students from Garden Grove School, where Ong works as a vice-principal.

The event raised almost $88,500 in support of the Ronald McDonald House Manitoba, as well as Sistema Winnipeg through the concert’s endowment fund with the Winnipeg Foundation. This year, the largest corporate donors were CIBC and Vickar Nissan.

This was the largest dollar amount since the annual charity event took off over a decade ago. Overall, the fundraising event has raised over $230,000 for local charities.

The concert was split into two sections. The first half has the students sit in the crowd and watch the concert for their own enjoyment, and the second welcomes them onstage to join the fray.

Ong said that, as an educator, one of the most important things about Concert for a Cause for him — beyond the fundraising goal itself — is that the students are able to experience a real-world example of cause and effect.

“When the kids come, they’re just there because they wanted to be a part of this, and they wanted to share their gifts,” he said, adding that it always makes him emotional. “That’s what we want to highlight, because these experiences, I think, are very impactful on kids and in helping them also find their purpose, and finding their roles and their voices within the community.”

He said that there’s been a shift in education, whereas instead of honing in on grades and statistics, there’s more of a focus on the child as an individual.

“And there’s no other way in doing that than making sure that they feel connected,” Ong continued. “They feel a sense of community belonging, where they can feel validated, they are heard, and (where) they can express themselves.”

He stressed that it’s important that the kids are around to see the physical cheque with the final amount of donations, as it’s proof that what they’re doing counts, and will help people.

“It’s my second time, and I feel proud of myself for being part of something big like this,” said Jordyn, a student at Garden Grove, adding that although she felt scared on stage, she was ultimately happy she did it.

“I think it was meaningful that I got to be part of (it), especially through music, as I love music myself,” said Caleb, another student. “The practices and rehearsals leading up to the concert were fun, and really made us feel prepared. I would do it over and over again.”

Although the event has expanded beyond its support for Sistema, a not-for-profit music program for schools in lower-income communities and the original recipient of Ong’s fundraising efforts, the element of keeping music accessible for everyone remains close to the concert’s reason for being.

“Beyond Sistema, what we’re seeing these days is that we have a lot of neurodivergence (in the classroom),” Ong said. “Within that neurodivergent population, how many of those can get the supports and the extra programming that they would have wanted outside of school, or even within school? … Just because the adults who are providing the services don’t feel equipped or willing to take on these kids who have different needs, who want to be a part of this.”

He said that several of the kids on stage that night are not “typical performers,” but were not only welcome to join, but encouraged.

“I feel grateful, and it was an honour to experience and be part of a concert that helps community,” said Lyka, a student. “I felt nervous but confident about what we had to share, and overall it was exciting.”

“(I’m) very happy Mr. Ong got to do it for 11 years,” added McKayla, another student. “And has seen growth … from the start until now.”