The first Ultimate Holiday Auction has raised $28,738 for Make Music Matter’s Healing in Harmony program, nearly tripling its fundraising goal. The month-long auction wrapped up November 30th at 8pm with a competitive finish on a number of items and experiences featuring top Canadian music industry experts and talent.

Many of Make Music Matter’s partner artists contributed exclusive prizes, one notable highlight being a Squier Stratocaster donated by Ian D’Sa, autographed by all members of Billy Talent, which closed at $1700.

All auction proceeds will support Healing in Harmony – a unique music therapy program implemented with local partners in conflict and post-conflict zones around the world. Participants include survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, exploited children, refugees, and other survivors of trauma.

“I am thrilled at the overwhelming response and support we received,” says Make Music Matter founder and CEO Darcy Ataman. “The money raised will help us deepen our impact and explore new areas where psychosocial support and mental health healing is needed.”

Auction sponsors included Canadian Musician Magazine, NAMM Foundation, Gerr Audio, Roland Canada, the El Mocambo, and Sennheiser.

About Make Music Matter

Make Music Matter uses the creative process as a therapeutic tool to help empower marginalized individuals and communities. Its innovative Healing in Harmony program for trauma survivors combines psychotherapy with music therapy. Research published in April 2021 has demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Program participants emerge as empowered artists with original songs for personal healing and advocacy tools to help combat stereotypes, stigma, and shame. Their music is recorded, produced, and disseminated via local radio stations, community concerts, social media, and major streaming platforms through A4A Records, with distribution through Warner Music Canada. A ground-breaking 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.

Developed in close partnership with 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Denis Mukwege, the Healing in Harmony model integrates existing holistic programs. Make Music Matter works in 8 countries - DRC, Rwanda, Turkey, Guinea, South Africa, Uganda, and Peru - with a first Canadian site planned for Fox Lake Cree Nation, Manitoba.

The ‘Healing in Harmony’ online auction launched April 22 and features a world class lineup of items and experiences for musicians and music lovers of all kinds.

Rock music fans have the chance to get their hands on legendary memorabilia including signed guitars by The Tragically Hip, Alex Lifeson of Rush, Billy Talent, Sum 41, and The Trews.

Juno and Grammy Award nominees and winners including producers Bob Ezrin, David Bottrill, Chris Birkett, and Hill Kourkoutis have donated one-on-one time for mentorship and consultations.

Other items include a one-hour guitar lesson with Ian Thornley of Big Wreck, recording studio time at some of Canada’s premiere facilities, and a wide assortment of pro audio equipment and software.

Also up for bidding are fine art pieces, dining experiences, a professional photo shoot, and event passes – including tickets to the 2022 Juno Awards show in Toronto.

Money raised will support Make Music Matter (MMM)’s groundbreaking and highly effective 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,” explains MMM founder and CEO Darcy Ataman. “We are humbled to work together side by side to not only address the generational trauma they have experienced, but to contribute to the collective healing needed to eviscerate the great divide and solitudes that exist within our country.”

MMM Board Chair and Grammy-winning producer David Bottrill is grateful for the support from friends in the music industry. “Many have gone above and beyond in the way they are giving their time, effort, and even personal instruments. 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,” he says.

Browse items now at mmm.bidandraise.com

Bidding opens April 22 at 10am ET and closes on May 1 at 8pm ET.

The 2022 ‘Healing in Harmony’ spring online auction is sponsored by Softube, McDSP, and Sonic Boom.

About Make Music Matter

Make Music Matter helps to empower marginalized voices with its innovative music therapy program Healing in Harmony. Initially designed for trauma survivors in conflict and post-conflict zones, it has been clinically proven to reduce PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

From survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo to young Syrian refugees with disabilities (and soon, survivors of generational trauma in Indigenous communities in Canada), Healing in Harmony has helped transform the lives of over 7500 individuals in eight countries worldwide.

Participants emerge with a renewed sense of agency and self-worth. Their original songs 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 ground-breaking 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.

Interviews are available with Make Music Matter Board Chair David Bottrill and Make Music Matter founder and CEO Darcy Ataman.

A4A Records / Warner Music Canada have released a lyric video for “Sunday Bloody Sunday” today; a 2019 song recorded by a collective of Canadian artists committed to promoting freedom and human rights worldwide. The cover was originally recorded and released in the summer of 2019 to raise awareness of the political crisis and human suffering in Sudan. Today, participating artists like Juno-winner Hill Kourkoutis are once again sharing U2’s iconic protest song in solidarity with Iranian women.

"Music can help to raise awareness and spark conversations which in turn leads to change. We believe in the power of music and we stand together with the people of Iran,” Kourkoutis says.

“Reimagined by some of our greatest Canadian talent, our hope is that this song serves as a tool of advocacy, helping to amplify the voices of those fighting to reclaim their own,” explains Darcy Ataman who co-produced the track alongside multiple Grammy winner David Bottrill (Muse, Rush, Peter Gabriel). A full list of participating artists is included below.

“As always, when voices are unceremoniously silenced, music must take its place at the vanguard, leading the charge in the art of protest to advocate for basic freedoms,” says Ataman.

Widespread protests against the Iranian government were sparked by the death of 22 year old Mahsa Amini, arrested by the morality police in Tehran on September 13 for allegedly violating Iran’s strict rules requiring women to cover their hair with a hijab. Since then, scores of protesters have been arrested, jailed, and killed by the oppressive regime as a national uprising and growing international movement call for accountability and the respect of fundamental human rights.

Participating artists include:

Ian D’Sa (Billy Talent)

Ben Kowalewicz (Billy Talent)

Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo)

Cone (Sum 41)

Neil Sanderson (Three Days Grace)

Matt Walst (Three Days Grace)

Damhnait Doyle

Emmanuel Jal

Serena Ryder

Corey Hart

Ron Hawkins (Lowest of The Low)

Scott Anderson (Finger Eleven)

Simon Ward (The Strumbellas)

Amy Millan (Stars)

Colin MacDonald (The Trews)

John Angus (The Trews)

Ewan Currie (The Sheepdogs)

Though not intended as a charity record, all proceeds raised through downloads and streams will be donated to Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran and Amnesty International - Iran.

The ‘Healing in Harmony Holiday Auction’ launches tomorrow, November 24 and runs until December 4. The online fundraiser for Make Music Matter will feature a variety of lots, from personalized autographed guitars, never before seen photos, and vinyl to event passes, merchandise, and professional services for musicians.  

Music fans and collectors will have an opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind items including an Ensoniq ZR-76 synthesizer owned by the late Oscar Peterson, donated by his wife Kelly Peterson. Legendary musician Geddy Lee has donated a signed Signature Fender Jazz bass and fellow rockers Billy Talent and Cone McCaslin from Sum 41 have also donated signed guitars.

Exclusive signed photos and artwork showcases some of Canada’s most beloved performers including the Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, Daniel Lanois, and The Trews. Recorded music up for grabs includes signed vinyl from Corey Hart, City and Colour, and Royal Wood, plus pieces by The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Gordon Lightfoot, The Weeknd, and Michael Bublé.

Multi-Grammy winning producer David Bottrill joins Juno-winning engineer Hill Kourkoutis in offering private mentoring sessions for aspiring artists. Bottrill, who chairs Make Music Matter’s Board of Directors, is keen to announce a new Healing in Harmony project in Toronto in the coming days.

“I’m so proud of my colleagues in the music industry who are coming together to make a difference. We’re thrilled to have their support as we expand our work alongside Indigenous communities to address the generational trauma their members have experienced,” Bottrill says.

Browse items now at https://go.rallyup.com/mmm

Bidding opens November 24 at 10 am ET and closes on December 4 at 8pm ET.

The 2022 ‘Healing in Harmony Holiday Auction’ is sponsored by Softube.

About Make Music Matter

Make Music Matter helps to empower marginalized voices with its innovative music therapy program Healing in Harmony. Initially designed for trauma survivors in conflict and post-conflict zones, it has been clinically proven to reduce PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

From survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo to young Syrian refugees with disabilities (and soon, survivors of generational trauma in Indigenous communities in Canada), Healing in Harmony has helped transform the lives of over 10,000 individuals in eight countries worldwide.

Participants emerge with a renewed sense of agency and self-worth. Their original songs 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 ground-breaking 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.