$35,000 IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS DONATED BY THE EVENKO FOUNDATION AND DAVID GOUDREAULT!

École Sacré-Cœur in Sherbrooke is enhancing its music program thanks to a donation of musical instruments valued at $35,000. This generous gift is the result of a personal initiative by David Goudreault, who pledged to donate $1 per ticket sold during his En marge du texte tour to the Evenko Foundation, with the goal of reinvesting the funds into a music-focused school.

École Sacré-Cœur is a music-oriented school that introduces young students to the practice of music at an early age. For the past 50 years, thousands of students have practiced on the school’s pianos. However, the wear and tear on these instruments, combined with a lack of percussion instruments, had become a major obstacle to their learning.

To help young musicians progress in the best possible conditions, the Evenko Foundation and David Goudreault have provided nine new pianos along with a set of percussion instruments. This donation will support the school in its mission to maintain a high-quality learning environment, continuing its legacy of promoting the arts for over five decades. All 600 students will benefit from this gift, now able to practice on brand-new instruments:

  • 9 Yamaha Clavinova digital pianos

  • 1 Uno Drum rhythm box

  • 1 Nino triangle

  • 1 Nino octoblock

  • 1 handpan (tongue drum)

  • 1 Sabian cymbal

  • 1 Rhythm sand block

  • 3 vibraslaps

  • 8 guiros

  • 3 LP Cyclops steel tambourines

  • 3 Mano wooden spoons

  • 6 cabasas

  • 3 flexatones

  • 1 Tibetan singing bowl

  • 1 hanging chime

David Goudreault received a heartfelt welcome at École Sacré-Cœur, where four classes had prepared a unique reception in his honour. Songs, original compositions, and slam performances were presented as a way to thank him for his generous contribution. The author and slam poet expressed how moved he was by the students’ enthusiasm and creativity.

The unveiling of the new instruments donated by David took place in the gymnasium, in front of six classes from Grades 1 to 6. He took the time to explain to the students how he had raised the necessary funds for the donation, and why he chose to give them to École Sacré-Cœur. His message—filled with positivity and centered on perseverance, courage, and boldness—captivated the students and sparked big dreams among them. He then proceeded with the unveiling of the instruments, met with excited and eager eyes.

After the unveiling, David engaged with the children, generously answering their many questions. The students then all stood up to sing the school’s theme song, a heartfelt gesture to thank him once again and to show how deeply music brings them together. To conclude the event, he performed an improvised slam using words chosen by the students themselves. With his gift for words and his genuine connection with young people, he created an unforgettable moment, leaving a lasting impression and becoming a true source of inspiration for the students of École Sacré-Cœur.

“École primaire du Sacré-Cœur, which offers a music-focused program to its 600 students, is a model of success within the public school system. Since 1972, it has built meaningful and innovative partnerships with community, academic, film, and music sectors, developing outstanding expertise in arts education. To keep pace with its ambitions, the school needed to renew several of its instruments. The donation from David Goudreault and the Evenko Foundation enables us to continue our mission of excellence and provide high-quality music education. We are deeply grateful to them.”

– Mr. Louis, Ms. Julie, and Ms. Amélie, on behalf of École Sacré-Cœur

“Music is a language, and all forms of expression can open up creative worlds, passions, or safe havens. It is a great honour to be able to donate so many new instruments to the children of École Sacré-Cœur, in collaboration with the Evenko Foundation. One word, one note at a time—we can make the world more beautiful.”

– David Goudreault, artist and donor

About the Evenko Foundation
Launched in May 2015, the Evenko Foundation's mission is to give all young people in Quebec the opportunity to thrive through music. The foundation believes that music education is essential to the social, psychological, emotional, and academic development of youth. Since 2016, through its Instrument Donation Tour, the foundation is proud to have donated over $1.5 million worth of instruments to more than 52 schools and organizations across Quebec.

Source: Evenko Foundation

Alexandre Perron-Roussin | Senior Project Manager, Evenko Foundation - aperronroussin@evenko.ca

Sarah Coallier-Lefebvre | Media Relations Coordinator, Evenko - sarah.coallier-lefebvre@equipespectra.ca