Sweet music is playing for Burnaby, as its free musical instrument lending program has won national recognition.
On Monday, Mayor Mike Hurley announced the city's "outstanding" Harmony for All program has won Creative City Network of Canada's IDEA award.
The award recognizes municipal programs that showcase the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.
The Harmony for All program offers free instrument lending, no-cost music outreach programs for community groups and scholarships to participate in music lessons.
Coun. Joe Keithley, leader of legendary punk band DOA, spearheaded the project, which launched in 2022.
Keithley said he's proud the city received the award and thanked staff and council for their support.
"In a world that's full of hate and greed and people can't get along, music is the one thing that speaks to everybody," Keithley said at the council meeting.
"It's the one universal language. ... Everybody loves music around the world."
Keithley highlighted the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society's 10-year commitment to give $10,000 a year for 10 years towards the scholarship fund.
"It's really amazing," he said.
Hurley congratulated the city's culture division, including fine arts coordinator Tanya Rankin and arts manager Yvonne Chu for their work.
"Music has a tremendous power to improve people's lives, but too often, financial barriers get in the way," Hurley said.
"This is why this is such a great program and something we're extremely proud of here in Burnaby."
The city has now refurbished over 618 instruments and provided 24 people with scholarships for their musical education.
More than 360 instruments are currently on loan, and the program has reached more than 2,500 residents, according to a press release.
Eligible residents can sign up for the program on the city's website.
