Hay River's Diamond Jenness Secondary School has received $9,500 in funding to support its music program. 

The funding came from the charity organization MusiCounts, which is affiliated with the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and The JUNO Awards. It aims to make music education inclusive, sustainable, and accessible for kids across the country.

News that the school was among 74 across the country to receive funding from the organization was welcome but unexpected news for music teacher Bailey Weber. 

"You know when you get a good scratch ticket or you feel like you won the lottery? It kind of felt like that," said the teacher, who is a classically trained musician. "It was an unexpected gift. I guess we did look for it, we applied for it, but you just never know."

Weber applied for MusiCounts funding in the spring. Having received a contribution from the organization, she has ordered a range of new instruments for the students to play. 

That includes six new violins and fiddles. 

SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½œWe decided to get instruments that align with our studentsSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™ interests," she said. "WeSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™re going to order a new set of violins and fiddles for students. String instruments are really popular up here."

The school as also purchased several new electric guitars and amplifiers. 

"I have one amp, five electric guitars, and only about two of them work," Weber said, laughing. "We ordered a set of new electric guitars with some new amps so that kids that really like the electronic music can play. They can get a little rock band vibe going during practice."

While students will undoubtedly enjoy shredding on the school's new electric guitars, the purchase Weber is most excited about is the school's first cello.

SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½œOur school doesnSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™t have a cello," she said. "For those kids that want to go that little bit further, we ordered one full-sized cello. It will be something special. If a kid really wants to learn, we have one. Most kids canSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™t afford an instrument like that."

Weber is confident the school's new instruments will help invigorate the school's already strong music program, and inspire creativity and confidence in its students. 

SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½œKids that enjoy hands-on learning and creative learning, [the music program] really speaks to them," she said. "ItSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s different than other classes. Music is creative. You sit and learn, but then you also get to do every day. 

SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½œMusic is a way to help you build confidence, because all music is a performance, whether youSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™re playing for yourself, or a friend, or for other people, or youSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™re collaborating. These are skills that are needed in the world to be a whole person, and to be happy and to be healthy and to have confidence."