One evening, in November 2016, we hosted a virtual ceilidh across the entire country, and it was so incredible, it’s taken us over a month to post this recap! So, first, we apologize for making you all wait for so long for us to tell you all about how this wonderful event went—and we thank you for your patience.
Second, W-O-W! What an event! Amazing, amazing, amazing. Anyone who was online that evening will agree that it was truly something special. What an inspiration!
(For any of you who were not able to join us, don’t fret—we are going to post the link to the recording at the end of this post.)
How the Ceilidh came about…
The virtual ceilidh is a dream come true for me. In June, I heard JP Cormier sing “Hometown Battlefield,” and I said wouldn’t it be great to have a virtual program to use music to share the journeys of our families?
PEI MFRC then partnered with Guitars for Vets Canada, which is a volunteer-led program that matches guitar instructors and Veterans with PTSD and other service-related injuries to learn to play the guitar—putting the healing power of music into the hands of our heroes.
This led to a village of entertainers and community advocates coming together to celebrate Military Family Services Program’s 25th anniversary of service to our CAF, veteran, reservist and all first responder families.
With Heartfelt thanks to the following performers:
1. Member of Parliament Karen McCrimmon. Wow, you are a community-minded woman who touches so many people in your role at Parliament. You lead a dedicated team and are a veteran who works with so many of our organizations to leave a positive impact and make change. Thank you, Karen, for all that you do for our country and our communities.
2. Jim Lowther and Kate Besette from Guitars for Vets Canada. Thank you for partnering with PEI MFRC to share your passion for music and more than that to share how music saved your life. Thank you for putting the healing hands of music into the hands of our heroes. Watch this video to learn more about Guitars for Vets Canada.
My guitar saved my life because the more I played, the more all the noise in my head went away; it was life changing. I still suffer with PTSD and always will, but playing has helped me handle it better—music can set the soul free. – Jim Lowther CD, President, CEO & Founder, VETS Canada & Guitars for Vets Canada
Guitars for Vets Canada has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to ensure that all Canadian soldiers and veterans with PTSD or other service-related injuries have the chance to explore healing through music. Please check it out
3. Honorary Colonel Terry Kelly and Tony Kelly. Wow! Dream adjustments, the importance of the cadet program, and gratitude for MFRC programs that support our families around the globe—These were the three messages that Terry shared with us during the ceilidh. As promised, here are the videos that Terry recorded so that he could give back to help us celebrate even if he had previous engagement. Terry shared with us the inspiration for “We Will Be There,” and then performed it for us at this year’s ceilidh. Terry, I shared the story of when our family first heard “Pittance of Time” and how, years later, my daughter was working in a retail store on Remembrance Day and Christmas music was playing. As a result of a Pittance of Time, she turned off the music and lead her team in 2 minutes of silence to remember. Honorary Colonel Kelly, you make a positive impact every day. Thank you.
4. Ryan Carey, Veteran, Musician. Ryan shared his personal journey and explained that music helps us to work around the injury to bring healing. Ryan performed “My Lady Soul” and shared its meaning. Ryan, you have a gift of a soothing voice that brings truth through music. Please follow Ryan on Facebook and check out his website to learn more about the variety of projects that he is leading.
5. Nicole Blanch. W-O-W! As a military spouse myself, I could relate to your story and the strength required to support our military members with love, resiliency, patience, and community support. It takes a village, doesn’t it? You are multi-talented as you shared your stunning voice in singing “Amazing Grace” plus the gift of painting where you shared with us the moving painting of Werfel, the orphaned boy who oozed joy after receiving a new pair of shoes as a gift. We are all so Blessed. Thank you for being part of this first ever virtual ceilidh!
6. Ali Davies. A military spouse who has lived the life through deployments, moves, and a brain injury (due to distracted driver), and sucking it up. Thank you, Ali, for writing the song called “I’d Do It all Again.” Here is the link to the professional video where you can listen to this stunning song. Ali’s words: I will say this…. It is our song… all of us in the military community. I held the pen, but it is our song…. thank you for allowing me to share it with you. Thank you also Ali for sharing your art series of poppies with fireworks. We encourage you to like Ali’s Facebook page. It was such a joy for us to see your support team joining you from vacation! (Again, it takes a village!).
7. Emerald Junction. Ron and Anne, thank you on so many levels! You were the first to want to give back and be part of this first ever virtual ceilidh even before you knew the impact that it would have. Thank you for writing such a powerful song called “All’s Fair” that touched our participants with reality of life, WOW. Here is the link to the recording of Ron and Anne singing “All’s Fair.” Please Like Emerald Junction’s Facebook Page. Emerald Junction, thank you for going live to present to the staff and volunteer team of MFRC PEI. Such a talented team!
8. Canadian Military Wives Choir. Wow! The Canadian Military Wives Choir is growing across the country sharing the healing power of music and bringing community support to military wives. So, I do have to apologize as there were a few glitches in IT and human error during the ceilidh. Here is the link to the recording where you will here from two members who share what it means to them to be part of this supportive community. Please follow the website for a new recording of “Together we are Stronger” in the upcoming months. Thank you to Sue Palmer for bringing this beautiful music nationwide. Please visit the website to learn more and to join the choir. As a military wife, your voice is always welcome. Thank you!
The Amazing Power of Music
Music heals, and we are not alone. It takes a village. Many who attended the ceilidh spoke about the healing power of music. This engaging virtual ceilidh touched more lives than we could ever have imagine! We were truly blessed.
If you Missed the Ceilidh…
… You are in luck! We recorded the event, so you can watch it here
Please note that some of the videos do not work in the recording (due to limitations of recording a virtual classroom), but the links are posted throughout this blog post.
Thank you to Donna Earl, Executive Director of MFRC PEI, for supporting this project and for believing in the power of virtual outreach to enhance programs to reach all of our; CAF, veteran, reservists, RCMP and first responder families, regardless of our posted location.
Congratulations to Military Family Services Program on 25 years of support to our families.
This blog post was written by Margaret MacKenzie, Virtual Program Coordinator for PEI MFRC.