Community Music Celebrates 35 Years

On Sunday, June 28, Humber's Community Music program celebrated its 35th anniversary with a “Jazz Hang” at The Rex Hotel Jazz and Blues Bar.

The afternoon featured performances by a number of notable Canadian musicians, including Kirk MacDonald, Lorne Lofsky and Brian Dickinson, along with Montreal-, Boston- and New York-based graduates returning to Toronto for the event.

“The Humber Community Music School program paved the way for my career in music,” says grad Anthony Fung, who went on to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music before founding The Anthony Fung Quintet. “The dedicated faculty was a supportive and caring family that allowed me to advance at a competitive pace, and also to absorb all kinds of creative, contemporary music into my playing. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of this great Canadian jazz movement!”

Fung is just one of our many Community Music success stories. Since 1980, our students have taken home over 200 Gold Awards at MusicFest Canada and over $2 million in scholarship offers from schools across North America. Graduates have been nominated for Juno Awards, signed record deals, travelled around the world, and built careers as musicians and teachers.

“When you look at the list of alumni who are actively performing across Canada and the United States, it's clear that the Community Music School is playing a big role in shaping the future of Canadian jazz,” says Cathy Mitro, director of Community Music.

The June 28 celebration at The Rex was thus a fitting tribute to such an influential program.