A Year-End Celebration of Music and Community

July 23, 2026

Over two nights in early June, CMST's Regent Park and Jane Finch schools came alive with music, creativity, and collaboration during our Many Beats / One Community celebrations. Over two unforgettable evenings, students shared the stage with renowned guest artists, including Saukrates, Jully Black, Strings From Paris, KUNÉ Global Orchestra, and Spirit Wind Hand Drum Group, showcasing the results of learning, mentorship, and artistic partnership throughout the school year.

At the Regent Park celebration on June 3rd, in partnership with the Luminato Festival, audiences were treated to an energetic performance by Strings From Paris, who bring contemporary popular music to life through innovative string arrangements. Over the past school year, Strings From Paris, and another exceptional musical partner KUNÉ, have worked with CMST students through classroom workshops, performances, and mentorship opportunities. These collaborations are central to providing students with opportunities to explore new musical styles, develop their creativity, and learn alongside professional artists and musicians.

The Regent Park celebration featured the capstone performance of two original works created by CMST students in collaboration with pioneering Canadian rapper, singer, and producer Saukrates. The partnership began when Saukrates approached CMST with the idea of launching the Saukrates Youth Electronic Symphony Orchestra (SYESO), bringing students together to create and produce new music. Developed through workshops and studio sessions throughout the school year, two songs premiered at Many Beats / One Community, with Saukrates leading the performance alongside Strings From Paris and more than 50 CMST strings students on stage. Members from Dancing With Parkinson's also joined the event, merging movement with music across generations. This world premiere showcased the incredible possibilities that emerge when young musicians create music reflecting their own experiences and imagination.

Many Beats / One Community continued at the Jane Finch school on June 4, featuring performances by CMST students alongside special guests Jully Black, Spirit Wind Hand Drum Group, and KUNÉ.

Jully Black, who grew up in the Jane Finch neighbourhood, has been working with CMST students in the spring, creating, composing, and performing together. A longtime champion of CMST, Jully has generously shared her time and talent as a mentor and creative inspiration for students. At the Jane Finch celebration, students joined Jully on stage for a moving performance of Lean on Me, highlighting the power of collaboration and community through music.

Together, these celebrations reflected what makes CMST special: young people finding their voices and creating meaningful connections through a variety of musical styles. Whether performing established repertoire, original compositions, or collective works, students demonstrated that when many beats come together, they truly become one community.