Face time with top producers, musical instruments, event tickets, conference passes, art, apparel, memorabilia, accessories and more are up for bid in the Make Music Matter Spring Auction in support of the Healing in Harmony music therapy program.
Fans can bid on signed guitars from The Tragically Hip, Rush’s Alex Lifeson, Billy Talent, Sum 41 and The Trews. Producers Bob Ezrin, David Bottrill, Chris Birkett and Hill Kourkoutis have donated one-on-one time for mentorship and consultations.
The auction closes at 8 p.m. ET on May 1.
Other items include a one-hour guitar lesson with Ian Thornley of Big Wreck, recording studio time at some of Canada’s top facilities, and an assortment of pro audio equipment and software. Art pieces, dining experiences, a professional photo shoot and event passes, including tickets to the 2022 Juno Awards show in Toronto, are up for bids.
Samaritanmag founder Karen Bliss, a music journalist for Billboard and other outlets, has offered a one-hour online advice session.
“Many have gone above and beyond in the way they are giving their time, effort, and even personal instruments,” said Bottrill, Make Music Matter’s board chair and a Grammy Award-winning producer, in a media release.
“We who are a part of creating music know well of its special healing powers. We’ve seen it around the world, and now Make Music Matter can help to make a difference at home.”
Money raised will support Make Music Matter’s Healing in Harmony music therapy program for trauma survivors and will accelerate plans to bring the program to Indigenous communities in Canada.
“While testing the model with Indigenous communities, we witnessed profound breakthroughs,” Make Music Matter founder and chief executive officer Darcy Ataman said in the release.
Make Music Matter helps to empower marginalized voices with its Healing in Harmony music therapy program. It was initially designed for trauma survivors in conflict and post-conflict zones and has been clinically proven to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.
From survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo to young Syrian refugees with disabilities, Healing in Harmony has helped transform the lives of more than 7,500 individuals in eight countries.
Program participants emerge with original songs that are professionally produced and serve as advocacy tools to promote their rights and combat stigma. The music is released globally on all major streaming platforms through A4A Records, with distribution through Warner Music Canada.
A new publishing model helps to ensure that all royalties from the songs are sent back to the artists and their communities, regardless of socio-economic circumstances.