OrKidstra students perform and recite poetry at SPHERE Festival

Tashi Farmilo

OrKidstra, an Ottawa-based social development program, recently took part in the National Arts Centre’s SPHERE Festival, which ran from September 10-20. OrKidstra, known for empowering young people from equity-deserving communities through music, brought an ensemble of young musicians to perform a one-hour concert at the Canadian Museum of History on September 15. This festival, dedicated to exploring the relationship between the arts and the natural world, provided a unique platform for OrKidstra students to demonstrate their talents while contributing to the festival’s theme of connection with nature.

Founded in 2007, OrKidstra was the first El Sistema-inspired program outside South America, focusing on teaching life skills such as teamwork, commitment, and pride through music. The program has grown from 27 children to over 700 participants from 62 cultural and linguistic backgrounds. OrKidstra’s participation in the SPHERE Festival highlighted the organization’s values of excellence, belonging, and community.

The highlight of the event came when four OrKidstra students joined the National Arts Centre Orchestra on stage to recite poems accompanying Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. The bilingual performance, with students alternating between French and English, brought fresh interpretation to Vivaldi's original verses. Audience members praised their eloquence and stage presence, showcasing OrKidstra’s dedication to developing confident, civic-minded young people.

Amar Marouf, an OrKidstra alumnus and first graduate to be appointed to the board of directors, reflected on the event, saying, “Earlier in the day, our fellow OrKidstra students performed an inspiring wind ensemble in the large halls with the totems. Over a hundred people gathered to hear them, and their melodies were just incredible. An hour later, we had the Special Finale, where we read the poems during The Four Seasons for a packed house of over 500 people. Whenever the NAC collaborates with OrKidstra, there’s always something magical in the air.”

OrKidstra continues to engage the community through its upcoming free holiday concerts in December. These events will take place on December 11 at the Ottawa Technical Secondary School and December 17 at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, featuring over 150 young musicians performing a diverse selection of classical, jazz, and holiday music. Donations are encouraged to support OrKidstra’s mission of empowering youth through music, but no tickets are required for entry. For more information, visit orkidstra.ca.