Regent Park School of Music launches computer-based music program for youth with the support of TELUS

TELUS Toronto Community Board gives $20,000 to Regent Park School of Music; students to perform at annual TELUS Celebration of Giving

TORONTO, May 2, 2012 /CNW/ - Regent Park School of Music (RPSM) today introduced their latest after-school program, Baddest Beatz, which teaches youth music production using computer software. The school launched the program thanks to a generous $20,000 donation from the TELUS Toronto Community Board.

"We are thrilled to receive this generous donation from TELUS," said Richard Marsella, director, Regent Park School of Music. "The donation allows us to develop unique programs in our Jane Finch satellite location, such as Baddest Beatz, a hip hop production course, African drumming, steel pan, ukulele and more!"

Since 1999, Regent Park School of Music has supported close to 1,000 youth in Toronto areas such as Regent Park, Parkdale, Jane and Finch and Lawrence Heights. Through the generous support of their donors, the School gives youth the opportunity to receive high-quality music education in group and private settings.  Baddest Beatz is one of the many innovative programs RPSM has instituted. Currently, this program is also offered at Oakdale Park Middle School in the Jane and Finch area.

Baddest Beatz is a fun hands-on program allowing students to explore their musical creativity with modern technology. The program provides the equipment and guidance in order for students to create and record songs or beats using computer software. Throughout the workshops students will make mp3 files to share with their friends and families. Ultimately, students will work towards producing a professional-quality, cellophane-wrapped CD.

Over the past six years, the TELUS Toronto Community Board has contributed more than $44,000 to Regent Park School of Music.

"Arts programs are known to empower youth and build their self-esteem and these are key qualities in building our future leaders," said Hon. Frances Lankin, TELUS Toronto Community Board Chair. "We are pleased to support Regent Park School of Music, which is such an inspiring organization since it gives Toronto youth the opportunity to explore their musical talents in a variety of ways."

Regent Park School of Music has also announced a contest open for all students in which a group of three to five students will receive a $1,500 honorarium towards future music lessons from the TELUS Toronto Community Board. Contestants must create a three minute video of their performance and will be judged on musicianship and originality. The contest will run from May 28 to June 29, 2012.

Since its inception in 2005, the TELUS Toronto Community Board has contributed $4.5 million to Toronto charitable organizations and supported more than 260 community projects.

About Regent Park School of Music
Founded in 1999, RPSM provides high quality, affordable music education to youth-in-need in Regent Park and other high priority areas in the city of Toronto, including Parkdale, Jane & Finch and Lawrence Heights. Staff, faculty and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure the safety and growth of RPSM students. For more information about the School, please visit www.rpmusic.org.

About the TELUS Community Boards
TELUS Community Boards are an innovative model for funding youth-focused charities that delegates decision-making to local leaders who know their communities best. Eleven TELUS Community Boards are making a positive impact across Canada from coast-to-coast in Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Rimouski, Quebec City, Atlantic Canada and the most recently launched board in the Thompson Okanagan region of B.C. Since their inception in 2005, the Community Boards have contributed $30 million to grassroots charitable organizations and supported more than 2,300 community projects. The TELUS Community Boards and the meaningful difference they make significantly contributed to TELUS receiving the Association of Fundraising Professionals 2010 Freeman Philanthropic Services Award for the Most Outstanding Corporation globally. For more information about the TELUS Calgary Community Board or to apply for funding, please visit telus.com/community.

About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, T.A; NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, with $10.4 billion of annual revenue and 12.7 million customer connections including 7.3 million wireless subscribers, 3.6 million wireline network access lines and 1.3 million Internet subscribers and more than 500,000 TELUS TV customers. Led since 2000 by President and CEO, Darren Entwistle, TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services including wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment and video.

In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed more than $260 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered 4.2 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Eleven TELUS Community Boards across Canada lead TELUS' local philanthropic initiatives. TELUS was honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international recognition. 

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com.

Richard Marsella
Regent Park School of Music, director
416 - 364 - 8900
[email protected]

Emma Miller
TELUS Media Relations
647-464-6817
[e-mail]