In front of families, partners, and community members gathered at Salle Désilets at Cégep Marie-Victorin, the evenko foundation unveiled on June 11, a $53,000 donation of musical instruments to La musique aux enfants. The announcement was made during a concert celebrating the organization’s 10th anniversary.

Since its launch, La musique aux enfants has been dedicated to promoting music education for young people across Quebec. One of its flagship programs, El Sistema OSM, enables 120 youth from Montréal-Nord, aged 6 to 16, to learn and play orchestral instruments through an after-school program. As the program’s needs continue to grow, the organization has been facing a significant shortage of instruments as well as an aging instrument inventory. This donation will provide 13 cellos, 8 flutes, 4 trombones, 3 xylophones, 2 timpani, 5 snare drums, 1 bass drum, 1 glockenspiel, cymbal sets, and various accessories, giving participants greater access to quality instruments while helping ensure the program’s long-term sustainability.

A Memorable Evening for the Young Participants of the El Sistema OSM Program

The unveiling took place in a festive and welcoming atmosphere during the concert celebrating the 10th anniversary of La musique aux enfants. Following a retrospective highlighting key moments from the organization’s first decade and the presentation of a commemorative video, guests were invited to discover the new instruments alongside representatives from the evenko foundation and the OSM.

Anne-Marie Withenshaw, spokesperson for the evenko foundation, and Angèle Dubeau, member of its Board of Directors, addressed the audience to emphasize the importance of access to music education for young people. The official unveiling of the $53,000 instrument donation was then carried out by students and teachers from the program in front of the families, partners, and community members gathered for the occasion.

« The El Sistema program has profoundly transformed my life. At the heart of this initiative, which I deeply believe in, lies a fundamental conviction: music is a right, not a privilege. I would like to thank the evenko foundation for supporting the success of the Programme El Sistema OSM in Montréal-Nord and for helping make music ever more accessible to young people. » - Rafael Payare, Music and Artistic Director of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal

« We know that music can have a lasting impact on a young person’s life. By supporting the El Sistema OSM program, we help provide these students with the resources they need to learn, challenge themselves, and thrive in a stimulating and inclusive environment. » - Anne-Marie Withenshaw, spokesperson for the evenko foundation 

A Meaningful Contribution to Support the Next Generation of Musicians

Thanks to this donation, the 120 young participants in the El Sistema OSM program will benefit from improved access to quality instruments suited to their age and level of learning. The organization will be better equipped to meet the needs of its participants while supporting the program’s continued growth and long-term sustainability.

El Sistema OSM has played an important role in the lives of young people in Montréal-Nord by providing free access to orchestral music education in a stimulating and inclusive environment. Guided by a dedicated team, participants develop their creativity, self-confidence, and collaborative skills through regular musical practice.

About the evenko foundation 

Launched in May 2015, the evenko foundation’s mission is to enable all young people in Quebec to thrive through music. The foundation believes that musical education plays an essential role in the social, psychological, emotional, and academic development of youth. Since 2016, the foundation is proud to have donated  more than $3,900,000 to more than 58 schools and organizations across Quebec.