This past summer marked a new chapter for Sistema Toronto’s senior and honours students – one defined by dedication, growth, and a shared passion for music. Our students are used to working hard throughout the school year, but with a star-studded performance at The Promise of Music Congress scheduled for October 8th, honours students were tasked for the first time with rehearsing through the summer months, both in groups led by their Centre Directors and senior Teaching Artists, and, in a departure from what’s expected of them during the school year, individually. Raising the stakes of this performance even higher, our students were scheduled to perform two pieces collaboratively with musicians from the Sistema New Brunswick Children’s Orchestra, a like-minded, Sistema-inspired organization with a mission to inspire young people through ensemble music. With these talented collaborators relying on them, Sistema Toronto students dove into their rehearsal schedule, determined to prove to themselves, their instructors, and ultimately, their audience at The Promise of Music, that they have what it takes to engage in a high-profile performance in a professional space like Koerner Hall. What began as a demanding summer of practice ended in a magical performance that showcased their talent as musicians, and their capacity to inspire, connect, and create change with their music.
Hosted by the Glenn Gould Foundation, The Promise of Music: The First World Congress on the Social Impact of Music took place in Toronto from October 6th-10th and drew in orchestras, artists, and innovators from across the globe to celebrate the power of music for social change. Over these five days, congress attendees explored how music inspires, uplifts, transcends borders, transforms lives, heals communities, and amplifies the voices of under-represented people. Throughout the event, participants examined the role of music in addressing pressing global issues, from poverty and decolonization to mental health and climate action. The event celebrated not only the universal language of music, but the profound responsibility of artists and institutions to use that language in service of building a more compassionate and connected world.
Supported by Sistema Toronto’s founders Robert and Ellen Eisenberg, the students’ performance was scheduled on the third evening of the event. The performance was delivered in two parts: in the first half, Sistema Toronto students delivered a skillful performance of Mozart’s Symphony No. 25, conducted by Women in Musical Leadership Conducting Fellow Jennifer Tung and enhanced by lighting cues designed to highlight the dramatic changes in this stormy music, and Sistema New Brunswick presented a performance of Danzón no. 2 by Arturo Marquez. In the second half, both orchestras took the stage together for a collaborative performance of Honour Song, written by Mi’kmaq elder George Paul and gifted to the Sistema New Brunswick. Then, to finish the evening, the full orchestra performed music from Dan Brown’s children’s book, Wild Symphony. A total of 128 musicians took to the stage playing orchestral sounds to complement a colourful visual display and narration of Wild Symphony by a special guest: Oscar-nominated actor Viggo Mortensen.
The journey to the performance at The Promise of Music was one that took months, with students rehearsing from July to October. Since this project would happen outside our normal programming season, we hired Parkdale Centre Director Sebastian Ostertag as Administrative Project Lead, and Honours Coordinator Felipe Luzuriaga as Artistic Project Lead. Rehearsing with all of the students was essential, but presented challenges beyond what our program faces during the school year. Finding appropriate rehearsal spaces was their first challenge, as school spaces are much harder to book during the summer months and are often already booked for summer camps. Locating alternative spaces the students could easily get to and that could comfortably accommodate them and their instruments wasn’t easy. Ultimately, school space was available for students from our Scarborough and Jane Finch centres, while students from our Parkdale and Lambton Park centres rehearsed together at Redeemer Lutheran Church. “At the start of the project, in the midst of Toronto’s hot summer, some of our rehearsal venues did not have AC, which made it difficult and tiresome to rehearse. Nevertheless, the students attended regularly and put in a lot of effort” remarked Felipe. Even with these challenges in mind, he added, “coaching the students for their participation in the Sistema World Congress was an enriching experience and a highlight of my teaching year.”
Knowing that this performance would have a much higher profile than the students were used to, it was also critical to impress upon them the importance of independent practicing; something that they aren’t required to do during the school year due to the intensity of our afterschool program, which includes 10 hours of weekly instruction. “In the beginning, there was a lot of excitement about being asked to participate in a ‘special project’ but soon enough reality set in, and that meant long rehearsals during the hottest days of the summer” shared Sebastian. The intensity of the rehearsal process paired with the knowledge that the Sistema New Brunswick would be relying on them as performance collaborators helped to impress upon students that this high-profile appearance would call for a new level of individual responsibility and dedication. “The biggest change that I noticed in the students was a shift from being told to practice, to them finding their own intrinsic motivation to prepare for this concert” recalled Sebastian. “In the final week before the performance, students took it onto themselves to practice in small groups, approaching their teachers to request individual practice time, or even getting up and practising for an hour before the start of school.”
The students, too, found this rehearsal schedule to be a significant departure from their work during the school year. Speaking about the experience, a senior student told us: “It was hard to make a routine for practicing on my own but I really wanted to sound good so I did it every morning right after I got up. I started sounding better every day and that made me want to keep practicing more. It was fun meeting new friends and playing in an orchestra with them. The memory will forever be cherished.” Another student spoke about how the prospect of playing with students from the Sistema New Brunswick helped motivate her to rehearse: “The experience was honestly so surreal and a valuable opportunity to interconnect with the talented musicians from New Brunswick! Knowing that we were playing all together and that they were relying on me made me want to do my best.”
Beyond the challenges of the rehearsal process, there were also limitations on the day of the performance. The Sistema New Brunswick Orchestra arrived in Toronto two days before the performance, leaving very little time for all of the musicians to rehearse together. If it was difficult to find rehearsal space for 30 students over the summer, finding a space for the combined orchestra of 128 was almost impossible to accomplish. A full group rehearsal one day before the performance involved bussing our students from all across the city to the Great Canadian Casino, where the students were able to meet in person and rehearse at the on-site theatre. Koerner Hall itself was tight for such a large performing group, and would only be available on the day of the performance itself. Fitting 128 musicians, their instruments, chairs, and music stands, as well as their conductor and Viggo Mortensen on the stage took tetris-like planning, but the final mise-en-scene was one of fullness and abundance that complemented the music beautifully.
Reflecting on the day of the performance, Sebastian recalls: “Most of our students had never been inside of a major concert hall, or played in a full Symphony Orchestra. When we finally got to rehearse in the huge concert hall, you could see the kids understand what their full potential could be. Not only did they get to sit beside really strong players from another part of Canada, they also finally got to put their hard work into action playing with Sistema New Brunswick. For the students, this was a huge moment.”
Despite aiming for a higher performance level than they were accustomed to and weathering rehearsal and performance challenges, students surpassed all expectations, delivering a performance that was as skillfully delivered as it was heartfelt. The day of the performance began with a tour of the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) and Koerner Hall building, where students were mesmerized by stories from the accompanying teachers about their own time studying there as students and performing in the hall. Their students were thrilled to spend the rest of the day rehearsing with the Sistema New Brunswick, relishing their time with other talented young musicians and marveling at the Sistema New Brunswick’s performance flourishes. When Sistema New Brunswick took to the stage on their own for a performance of Arturo Márquez’s modern classic Danzón no. 2, Sistema Toronto students flocked to the green room to watch, applauding with delight when Sistema New Brunswick musicians spun their basses in unison.
“The enjoyment that our students got from performing Wild Symphony in conjunction with the Sistema New Brunswick was priceless” recalled Felipe. “The enthusiasm was contagious, and the engagement in performing the music together spread through everyone involved. Likewise, the involvement of all participating coaches, conductors, administrators and our narrator Viggo Mortensen, were all inspirational. It was a privilege to witness and be a part of this transformational experience.”
The audience greeted the October 8th performance with amazement and enthusiasm, offering high praise for the students’ dedication and skill. One mother whose daughter performed with the ensemble, shared, “I was so impressed by this magical performance. These musicians worked so hard to prepare it. I wish I could see it again—it was fantastic!” Another mother echoed this excitement: “The girls had an amazing experience. They made new friends, enjoyed the activities, and are already looking forward to the next event. A big thank you to the incredible team for creating such a memorable experience for the children.”
Together, these reflections highlight the impact of the collaboration with the Sistema New Brunswick, an event that not only showcased remarkable musical talent but also fostered friendship, confidence, and joy among the students. The partnership between Sistema Toronto and Sistema New Brunswick created an unforgettable experience for everyone involved, leaving families, educators, and young musicians inspired and eager for future opportunities to learn and perform together.