Regent Park School of Music

The Toronto Sun columnist Mike Strobel recently interviewed Thompson Thompson Egbo Egbo, former student and member of the board of directors for Regent Park School of Music. The column, 'Regent Park's piano man', ran today on page six of the Toronto Sun and is a wonderful look into the school's impact on its students and the community. Thank you Mr. Strobel for the wonderful article!

This year's Closer to the Heart benefit for the Regent Park School of Music has just added even more fantastic talent to the line-up! Brian Borcherdt (Holy F**k, The Remains of Brian Borcherdt) will be jumping up onstage to perform two of his favourite Canadian cover songs alongside Scott Anderson (Finger Eleven), Todd Clark (Pilate), Sebastien Grainger (Death From Above 1979), Serena Pruyn (Oliver Black), Damhnait Doyle (Shaye), Esthero, Matthew Barber, and Ivana Santilli, plus a special surprise guest! You never know who will join the performers for unique renditions of Neil Young, Maestro Fresh Wes or Blue Rodeo tunes... and that's just the tip of the iceberg for this year's song choices!

Also just announced: Tara Spencer-Nairn of CTV's Corner Gas will join Canadian Idol judge Zack Werner to co-host the evening. It's a must-see show with an all-star cast like you've never seen them play before! Buy your tickets in advance before it sells out!

The 5th annual Closer to the Heart benefit for the Regent Park School of Music is shaping up to be as unique and inspiring as all four previous years! This year's all-star house band features Kurt Swinghammer (Ani diFranco, Ron Sexsmith) on guitar, Davide Direnzo on drums, Terrence Gowan on keys, and Maury Lafoy (Jann Arden) on bass. Treating you to performances of their favourite Canadian cover songs this year will be: Scott Anderson (Finger Eleven, Todd Clark (Pilate), Sebastien Grainger (Death From Above 1979), Serena Pruyn (Oliver Black), Damhnait Doyle (Shaye), Esthero, Matthew Barber, and Ivana Santilli.

And hosting this year's event is the inimitable "tough" judge from Canadian Idol, Zack Werner, who can't hide his heart of gold this time. Living near the Regent Park neighborhood, he volunteered his time to help raise money for the after-school music program at RPSM when he heard about the benefit. "I read recently that some funding cuts had affected this school. I'm thrilled to be involved as a Cabbagetowner because music education is a fantastic way to give kids hope for the future, to do something meaningful."

CLOSER TO THE HEART V
Friday, February 10th at Club 279
279 Yonge St. at Dundas Square, above the Hard Rock Cafe
Doors 7:00 p.m., show starts 8:00 p.m.
Tickets $20 in advance by calling 416-465-3993
or
online at: Maple Music (search:"Closer to the Heart")

$25 at the door.

Sponsored by NOW Magazine, CIUT radio & Molson's.
Club 279 at the Hardrock Cafe
NOW Magazine
CIUT Radio
Molson

For press inquiries, contact Karen Pace at Pacemaker Pro.
416-918-6525 karen@gokarenpace.com

SHOWCASE 2006

WEDNESDAY MAY 24TH

AT: JOEY AND TOBY TANENBAUM OPERA CENTRE

227 Front St E

TICKETS $50.00

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 416-364-8900

We here at the Regent Park School of Music would like to congratulate some our students on a job well done! Four students have recieved their Theory Examination marks, and here they are!

Charm: 86
Pei Yi: 97
Christine: 98
Ramanan: 99

Congratulations on these excellent scores and for all of your hard work! We're all very proud!

This is the fifth annual benefit to raise money for the
Regent Park School of Music, a non-profit after-school music
program for under-privileged kids in the Regent Park area of Toronto.
These kids get a chance - with subsidized instrument and choral
lessons - to learn a new skill, gain self-confidence, perform in front of
audiences from government dignitaries to hospital patients, and stay
off the streets. The benefit has a twist: a star-studded house band
backs lead singers of your favourite groups, performing covers of their
favourite Canadian songs. It's a unique, fun, entertaining night that
ends up on "highlight of the year" lists every year!

Previous guest have included Tyler Stewart, Ed Robertson and Kevin
Hearn of the Barenaked Ladies, Tara Slone (INXS singer finalist,
ex-Joydrop), Stephen Fearing (Blackie & The Rodeo Kings), Emily
Haines (Metric), Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene), Chris Murphy
(Sloan), Matthew Barber, Luke Doucet (Sarah McLachlan), Tom Wilson
(Junkhouse), Glenn Milchem (Blue Rodeo), Todd Clarke (Pilate),
Sarah Harmer, Ron Hawkins and many more.
This year's line-up promises to be just as stellar!
Check out http://www.MapleMusic.com or http://www.club279.com

CLOSER TO THE HEART V
Friday, February 10th
at Club 279
279 Yonge St. at Dundas Square, above the Hard Rock Cafe
Doors 7:00 p.m., show starts 8:00 p.m.
Tickets available now for $20 in advance online at:
http://www.maplemusic.com
or $25 at the door.
For more event information: call 416-465-3993.

For press inquiries, contact Karen Pace at Pacemaker Pro.
416-918-6525 karen@gokarenpace.com

Happy New Year to all, and welcome to our new Website.

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Best Regards for a joyful 2006,

The RPSM Staff