In March 2008, the GME ran a successful referendum where a majority of representatives from the Glendon community voted yes to giving a small portion of their tuition to the Musical Ensemble.

How much did we ask for?

Beginning in September 2009, each Glendon student will give $0.11 (11 cents) per credit to the Musical Ensemble. This means that for each six-credit course, students will give $0.66 (66 cents) to the GME. It is a small amount for you but for us it will have a very significant impact.

Why did we hold a referendum?

All students at all universities pay some sort of student fee. This money keeps campus life alive; all clubs - from student radio and newspapers to community resource centres - need consistent funding and support from the student body in order to operate. Here at Glendon many referenda have been held over the years, and students have approved levies for groups such as Pro Tem, Radio Glendon, Theatre Glendon, World University Services of Canada (WUSC) and the Glendon Women's Centre. This ensures a solid future for these clubs. The Musical Ensemble, already an active and well-known organization on campus, is pleased to be shown the same support.

Why is this important to the GME?

Without your help, the Musical Ensemble would risk disappearing. In order to function even at our most basic level, we require a large budget. Nearly 40 members participate in rehearsals and major performances each year and we are still growing. The make-up of the group is ever-changing: we embrace many different styles and welcome musicians with a wide range of talents and interests. Our focus is on providing as many musical and performance opportunities as possible; the less we have to worry about budget, the more we can focus on raising our standards and improving the experience that we offer to our members. Support from the community is essential because it guarantees a stable, reliable source of funding for the long term.

Why is this important to the Glendon community?

Over the past ten years, the entirely student-run Musical Ensemble has become a fixture in the heart of Glendon's cultural community. In fact, it is the only musical club on campus, well-loved by musicians and non-musicians alike. For several years, audiences have filled Theatre Glendon to watch us present programmes of folk-inspired music, Canadian classics, jazz, Latin music and more. Without a strong base of funding, this can no longer continue. Your support will allow us not only to survive but to move forward. It will permit us to foster and encourage a love for music and community at Glendon from the inside out: providing greater opportunities for our members and in turn, increasing the impact that we have within the school as a whole.

What do we spend money on?

The costs of running a musical group are higher than one might think: for weekly rehearsals we buy sheet music; we print and photocopy our own music; we rent a drum set, guitar and bass amps and percussion instruments; and when it comes time for our shows, we require lights, audio equipment and much more. These are only the most basic necessities for the Ensemble.

Where else can we get money from?

Finding stable sources of funding is an area of constant concern for the administration of the GME. Our options are quite limited. We are extremely grateful for the logistical and financial support provided to us by the College, but we depend on sources that are not guaranteed and do not always cover all of our costs. Fundraising and donations have been helpful as well, but once again, they are not guaranteed. In the past, we have relied heavily on a program called the Pepsi Fund, which is in place for clubs' events. Unfortunately, this might not be available in the future.

A consistent source of funding is essential to the survival of Glendon's only musical club, and we are very grateful to have earned the support of the community.

Now come and enjoy our shows!

Listen to our referendum song (requires Adobe Flash Player):