The report is structured in sections.

Part I examines the strengths and assets found in Atlantic Canada's music community. Part II begins by laying out the effects of geographic, demographic and historical conditions in order to understand the factors at play in the region. Part III contains an overview of some of the macro level changes to the music industry which continue to affect the viability of music as a career and an industry. Finally, Part IV examines the challenges that exist and makes recommendations for governments, music industry leaders and community organizations.

The primary focus of this report is on the commercial music sector, including live and recorded music, music professionals, and physical infrastructure. To be representative of the true breadth of the music sector the research scope was broadened to include classical and traditional music (i.e. Celtic, Acadian, orchestras, and choral musicians). Music education is explored as well, underscoring the clear linkages between regional culture, early music education and post-secondary programs and partnerships, and their effects on the music sector as a whole. The development of a coordinated Atlantic Canada Music Strategy supported by an investment in the regional ecology of the music industry in the form of an Atlantic Music Fund will synchronize policies and actions and amplify the economic and social contributions of music, ensuring the music of the East Coast will play on for generations to come.

Atlantic Canada has long boasted a reputation as a musical region. The dedicated work of the East Coast Music Association (ECMA) and non-profit Music Industry Associations(MIAs), supported by provincial and national funding bodies, serve talented and driven musicians and music professionalism communities, both small and large, across the region. Export development programs curated by the ECMA and the region's MIAs, bring foreign investment directly to the East Coast and advance Atlantic artists� careers in foreign markets. The Return On Investment (ROI)on export development programs is just one of many examples discussed within this report which have demonstrated, year-over-year, the viability of investing in music in Atlantic Canada.