In high-demand for their energy and musicianship, let the students of OrKidstra inspire and delight you!
Centretown Hub End-of-Year Concert
Tuesday, June 12 at 6:30 PM (212 Glebe Ave., Ottawa)
Tickets not required –
Donations welcome!
Vanier Hub
End-of-Year Concert
Wed., June 6 at 6 PM (485 Donald St., Ottawa)
Hear some of OrKidstra’s newest students at our free End-of-Year Concert – Vanier Hub
Tickets not required –
Donations welcome!
Have you seen our new website?
Thanks to support from the community, OrKidstra is very pleased to announce the launch of its new orkidstra.ca website! The new barrier-free website is filled with easy access to the most-requested information about OrKidstra including wonderful stats and stories about the positive impacts of the program!
OrKidstra is grateful to the City of Ottawa’s Capacity Building Funding Program (Cultural Funding Support Section), a generous gift from an anonymous donor and Baytek for their support for this new interactive and accessible website.
Please help OrKidstra win $10,000 with the Great Canadian Giving Challenge!
By making a donation to OrKidstra this June you could help us win $10,000!
The Great Canadian Giving Challenge is back! Every $1 donated online to OrKidstra (via orkidstra.ca, givingchallenge.ca or canadahelps.org) in JUNE earns us a chance to win the $10,000 grand prize from CanadaHelps and GIV3. Check out the video above – featuring the OrKidstra youth group – for how the $10,000 could help make a positive impact and help empower kids and build community!
Help OrKidstra win $10,000 by making an online donation during the month of June!
The experience of a lifetime: Encounters/Encuentros
Six OrKidstra students had the experience of a lifetime at Encounters/Encuentros: Music Unites the Continents in Mexico City, March 1-4, 2018!
We (OrKidstra students Jennifer, Nancy, Peter, Evelyn, Rinila and OrKidstra graduate Kafele, accompanied by Executive & Artistic Director Tina Fedeski, M.S.M. and OrKidstra Program & Events Coordinator Katherine Neale) spent four days in rehearsal with more than 150 young musicians from 23 Sistema-inspired programs from across the Americas. The intensive “Seminario” culminated in a concert at the stunning Palacio de Bellas Artes under the direction of world-renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel and celebrated composer and conductor Arturo Márquez.
OrKidstra experienced this extraordinary program, Encounters/Encuentros: Music Unites the Continents in Mexico City, March 1-4, 2018, thanks to the generosity of The Gustavo Dudamel Foundation, which fully funded the music and citizenship intensive for all attendees and provided full scholarships for our students.
Soon-to-be OrKidstra grad Amar shares what OrKidstra mean to him in this short video from the SUCCESS THROUGH MUSIC series. VIDEO CREDIT: KANATA PRODUCTIONS/VECTORS GROUP
OrKidstra creates some “Harmony”
OrKidstra performs at "Harmony" on May 9, presented by St. Barnabas Music
Big thanks to Jan Fox, St. Barnabas Church, Ottawa for inviting OrKidstra to perform on May 9, 2018 at the launch of the new "Harmony" concert series!
Our senior and intermediate students had a real blast performing pieces by diverse composers like Mozart, Led Zeppelin, Duke Ellington, Handel and traditional fiddle music. Thanks to everyone who came out to the show!
Soon-to-be OrKidstra grad Peter shares how the program is helping him to create possibilities in his life in this short video from the SUCCESS THROUGH MUSIC series. VIDEO CREDIT: KANATA PRODUCTIONS/VECTORS GROUP
Party with a Purpose!
If you have a special occasion coming up, like a birthday or anniversary, why not make it a giving-back bash? In lieu of presents, tell your guests you’d love it if they could make a donation to OrKidstra.
We’ve got lots of great ideas to get you partying with a purpose like a pro!
In high demand for their energy and musicianship, OrKidstra has recently performed at the following events.
Thanks so much to The Honourable Catherine McKenna MP for inviting OrKidstra to perform at “Climate Leaders’ Summit: Women Kicking It on Climate” at the Museum of Nature on May 16, 2018. The event was very inspiring for the young women involved in OrKidstra!
Thanks to the Ottawa Community Foundation, OrKidstra launched its very first Teaching Artist Development Workshop on May 4, 2018! During this workshop, current and prospective Teaching Artists unpacked the philosophies and pillars of the El Sistema movement and explored how their skills in teaching and as an artist intersect!
SUCCESS THROUGH MUSIC: GRATITUDE
Soon-to-be OrKidstra grad Rinila shares why she feels grateful for the opportunities in her life in his life in this short video from the SUCCESS THROUGH MUSIC series. VIDEO CREDIT: KANATA PRODUCTIONS/VECTORS GROUP
A two-year study by researchers at the Brain and Creativity Institute (BCI) at the University of Southern California shows that exposure to music and music instruction accelerates the brain development of young children in the areas responsible for language development, sound, reading skill and speech perception.
OrKidstra welcomes Paul Wells and Sharon Rusu to the Board of Directors
Paul Wells Senior Writer at McLean’s; award-winning author and frequent commentator on CBC’s Power & Politics and The National’s At Issue panel; music lover and trumpet player.
Sharon Rusu Long-standing career in international and national humanitarian and development work with extensive experience in regional disaster risk reduction, refugee determination, information and resource management and mobilization for humanitarian relief.
Our heartfelt thanks to our faithful circle of OrKidstra friends!
As a donor, you give kids from under-served Ottawa communities the opportunity to learn vital life lessons such as responsibility, teamwork, respect and compassion through making music together.
“It is an absolute badge of honour for me to be involved with this remarkable organization as an Ambassador. Everyone who supports OrKidstra should feel very proud. I’ve only known OrKidstra for a couple of years, but even in that short time I’ve seen and heard tremendous growth…These children from under-served Ottawa communities are a shining example of how music can uplift the spirit and the mind. Please join me in helping to build community and empower kids by supporting OrKidstra.”
– Alexander Shelley
Music Director of the NAC, Principal Associate Conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and OrKidstra Ambassador
OrKidstra End-of-Year Concerts!
Let's celebrate the new students at our Vanier Hub!
Join us on Wed., June 6 at 6 PM for our Vanier Hub End-of-Year Concert at Ottawa Technical Secondary School (485 Donald St.)
It's the main event! Over 200 children will inspire you with their talent & enthusiasm at our Centretown Hub Concert!
Our Centretown Hub End-of-Year Concert is on Tues., June 12 at 6:30 PM at Glebe Collegiate (212 Glebe Ave.)
