HAMILTON, ON—Last week, your Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hamilton Music Collective brought An Instrument For Every Child (AIFEC) students into FirstOntario Concert Hall for a musical experience as part of HPO’s Beethoven’s Seventh concert rehearsal. This initiative is a transformative educational partnership in memory of the late Marnie Paikin. A devoted supporter of both organizations, Marnie Paikin strongly believed in the power of making high quality musical experiences accessible to children from underserved communities.
On this partnership, HPO Executive Director, Kim Varian notes “The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra is proud of our longtime partnership with An Instrument for Every Child. This collaboration highlights our shared dedication to make music education accessible and ignite a love of music in young people, especially those who might not see themselves represented in orchestral music.”
In the concert hall were students from St. Michal Catholic Elementary School, St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School, Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Elementary School, Dr. Davey Elementary School, Bennetto Elementary School and Hess Street Elementary School. Students witnessed the engaging educational experience that orchestral music provides. This unique opportunity allows students in our community the chance to connect with professional musicians, learn more about the pursuit of a musical career and activate a passion for enchanting musical experiences.
That is the core aim and what lies at the heart of the An Instrument For Every Child (AIFEC) program – the opportunity to enrich the lives of young people by providing them with access to high-quality educational opportunities and live performances. These sessions aim to inspire young minds and cultivate a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts.
“Experiencing a symphony orchestra firsthand, where children can see and hear strings, brass, woodwind and percussion perform live, creates an inedible memory that lasts a lifetime. We’re excited to enhance our partnership with the HPO, offering these invaluable experiences to our AIFEC students.” said Hamilton Music Collective Founder/CEO, Astrid Hepner.
This joint initiative between the HPO and HMC is a testament to Marnie Paikin’s enduring legacy of breaking down barriers to access. Marnie believed that every child deserves the opportunity to experience the transformative power of music.
About the HPO: For 140 years, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra has presented orchestral music and education programs with a mission to support the wellbeing of the greater Hamilton region. The HPO presents dynamic orchestral performances ranging from standard classical repertoire to popular music and world premieres by living composers. As one of Canada’s leading professional orchestras, the HPO has proudly contributed to the shaping of Hamilton’s cultural landscape.
About the Hamilton Music Collective: Hamilton Music Collective (HMC) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2008 by a local group of musicians, educators and community supporters, who are passionate about music and believe in its transformative power to enrich lives and empower students. HMC’s mission is to invigorate the music scene in Hamilton through professional live performances, education, events, workshops and exhibits. HMC, through its AIFEC program has provided musical instruction and free instruments for over 15,000 children, living in under-resourced neighborhoods in Hamilton working in conjunction with the Hamilton School Boards, Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club, Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, McMaster University, Mohawk College and the City of Hamilton.
HPO Media Contact:
Christopher Butler
Marketing and Communications Manager
Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra
289.216.8305 | cbutler@hpo.org
HMC Media Contact:
Garrett Lajoie
Marketing and Events Manager
Hamilton Music Collective
905.517.1664 | garrett@hamiltonmusiccollective.ca