The atmosphere was festive and emotional on Friday morning at the inauguration of the Place de la musique DO-RÉMI near the Saint-Rémi Annexe school in Montréal-Nord, where the program takes place Music for children presented by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.
“I started music at the age of 14 thanks to the El Sistema music education program. That’s why music for children particularly appeals to me! “It is wonderful that children can make music at the Place de la musique DO-RÉMI, which can also arouse the attention and curiosity of passers-by,” says Rafael Payare, musical director and conductor of the OSM orchestra.
Pierre-Paul Poulin / Le Journal de Montréal / Agence QMI
It was OSM conductor emeritus Kent Nagano who first imagined the “Music for Children” program, which was launched in 2016, as he himself had access to music at a young age. The idea? Enable more than 200 children ages 4 and 5 to learn music daily with violin, piano and choir. Other related activities also allow these children to continue this path at a discounted rate and allow parents to get involved in the choir.
Montreal artist Astro’s symphony mural decorates the DO-RÉMI public square with a stage, part of the desire for cultural outreach in northern Montreal. In addition to children participating in the Music for Children program, everyone can enjoy this green space near Pie-IX Boulevard.
Pierre-Paul Poulin / Le Journal de Montréal / Agence QMI
Those present at the inauguration and passers-by were able to listen to the performance of the song À l’école Saint-Rémi by some children under the direction of Rafael Payare and L’hymn to Joy with the brass quintet of the OSM.
“It was very, very sweet. When learning music, you quickly realize that melody and harmony have to be heard, otherwise it just makes noise. We have to harmonize, respect. I think our world would be a better place if we approached it this way. If you can discover that at a young age, that’s wonderful,” explains Rafael Payare, himself a father of daughters aged 7 years and 19 months.
“Kindergarten allows you to perceive the world around you. Thanks to this program we open a door to music. We observe that children are very open-minded during this first contact with classical music. It can even become a source of motivation for children who can’t wait to get to school and attend their music lessons,” explains Geneviève Bigonnesse, senior manager of the program.
Émilie, a 6-year-old girl taking part in the program, is bright-eyed as she talks about her experience: “Every day I look forward to making music. I would love to be a musician one day!”