The El Sistema inspired program, Viva! Sistema Montreal, comes to the end of its first year in Point St-Charles and Kahnawake.

Guided by Abreu’s promise of music, we put in place a community of children, teachers, tutors, composers, violin makers, administrators and parents, with music as the common bond. The program has been running at the St-Gabriel Elementary School and the Kahnawake Eductation Centre from Monday to Thursday for 2 hours after school at each of the locations.

The first year is scheduled to end with a public gathering, a lot more than a concert: it is a manifestation of Jose Antonio Abreu’s statement. Today we witness the power of music to “unite an entire community” and to feel the “solidarity, harmony, and mutual compassion” while listening to the children.

Location #1: St. Gabriel Elementary School, 600 Dublin, MontrealTime: 4:00pm
Entry: Free (monetary donations will be accepted)

Location #2: Turtle Island Theatre, Kahnawake
Time: 7:00pm
Entry: Free (monetary donations will be accepted)

“Music has to be recognized as an agent of social development in the highest sense because it transmits the highest values: solidarity, harmony, mutual compassion. It (music) has the ability to unite an entire community, and to express sublime feelings” José Antonio Abreu, Founder of the el Sistema movement in Venezuela.

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