Waveland Canada Makes Music Accessible to Vulnerable People with New Series, Noteworthy

Live music is something that's often taken for granted. For many of the country's most vulnerable people, concerts, and all of their proven mental and physical health benefits, can be inaccessible or rare. That's something music nonprofit Waveland Canada is looking to change.

The organization (a subsidiary of Billboard Canada publisher Arts House Media Group) is launching a new program this week called Noteworthy. The initiative is designed to bring intimate music performances to isolated communities across Canada, like homeless shelters, hospices, long-term hospital stays and more.

"The focus is making sure that people who might not usually have the chance to experience live music can have access to it readily," says Waveland founder Del Charles. "We aim to connect with groups like people experiencing homelessness, those in hospitals, orphanages, and individuals living in shelters."

Noteworthy launches Wednesday (September 18) with a performance by jazzy Toronto pop singer Jennarie at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto. Her soulful and empathetic set will set the tone for the series, which features all Canadian artists bringing their unique sounds and stories to the program and connecting with neighbours they don't usually get to.

Angela Riddick, Manager of the Wellness Centre at CAMH, attests to the benefits of music for the community at the centre.

"At CAMH, we’ve seen firsthand how music can bring people together — patients, staff, and community members alike," she says. "Noteworthy will not only provide incredible live performances but also offer the opportunity to build connections, whether between audience members, institutions and their communities, or Canadians and their local music industry."

Waveland, which is known for both its community initiatives and for presenting music in interesting and accessible spaces, has also run a series of in-person and virtual concerts called Songs for Seniors. Noteworthy expands on that idea, using music to provide moments of joy and comfort for people facing challenges while also allowing them to build relationships with others in similar circumstances.

Charles says it also creates a gateway to connect people with available resources like healthcare professionals, social workers or community organizations. In that way, music becomes a connector in multiple different ways.

"It's such an important program when we speak about inclusivity and access to the arts, as we often overlook vulnerable populations," she says.

Learn more about Noteworthy here.