SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Yellowknife students were among the 700,000 youth from across Canada to take part in Music Monday, an event celebrated nation-wide.

The students put on two concerts, one at Calvary Community Church and the other at Mildred Hall School.

Music Monday was created by the Coalition for Music Education in 2005 to celebrate and promote music programs for children in schools across Canada. For most Yellowknife schools, this was their third year participating in the event.

Weledeh Catholic School, St. Joseph School and St. Joseph Middle School sang at the church concert.

"We live in a day with budget cuts, where music is often left on the side," said Sophie Leger, teacher at St. Joseph School.

She said Music Monday is the a great way to show how music is benefiting youth.

"It's a form of expression," she said.

Leger said music, which includes elements of intellect, emotion and artistic expression, make it a vital part of a well-rounded education.

Margo Nightingale, Co-Director of Aurora Chorealis - part of the Yellowknife Choral Society, was involved in conducting a workshop at the church teaching students different songs.

Her message to the students is they are their own instrument.

"Music Monday" helps give the message that music is important in our lives," said Nightingale.

"In a way it also shows that music brings us together in a community."

The second concert held at Mildred Hall School included students from Range Lake North, J.H. Sissons, William McDonald Middle School, Mildred Hall and N.J. Macpherson.

The concert featured a workshop on percussion and gumboot dancing.

Elizabeth Tamblyn, music teacher at Mildred Hall, said the event is a celebration of music education.

"It's the opportunity for other students to get together to share music with other choirs," said Tamblyn.

"It's not often that we get together to hear each other sing."