Music within the reach of young people from here

The Christian Vachon Foundation and Orford Music are proud to announce a new initiative for the benefit of young music lovers in the region!

Thanks to a $25,000 donation from the Vachon Foundation, some twenty children in the Magog region will be able to take advantage of free music lessons offered by Orford Music throughout the school year.

The project is based on the same principles as "El Sistema", an initiation program to the orchestra focused on the development of self-esteem, excellence, solidarity and academic perseverance among youth. Launched in Venezuela in 1975,“El Sistema” would now serve more than one million children in more than 60 countries on every continent, including numerous initiatives in Canada.

“Our first project materialized in 2017 with the support of the Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation,” underlines the general and artistic director of Orford Music, Mr. Wonny Song. Eight young people from École Sainte-Marguerite took part in this first edition, which offered them individual lessons as well as ensemble and choir lessons.

According to Mrs. Sophie Cusson, director of artistic operations at Orford Music, “The donation from the Christian Vachon Foundation will allow us to welcome a larger group this year as well as to integrate more resources for children. The involvement of a psychoeducator, for example, has already enabled us to adapt our operations to better meet the needs of children. »

Ms. Cusson underlines the remarkable progress of the children in learning their chosen instrument (violin, cello, piano or transverse flute). “But what's most important to us,” she insists, “is nurturing their self-confidence and giving them a sense of belonging. These are valuable life lessons no matter what career choices they eventually make. »

The Foundation is very proud to count Orford Music among our partners! We thank them for their invaluable support in carrying out our mission with young people.