OrKidstra white logo
  • About
    • Overview
    • Philosophy & Inspiration
    • Sistema
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Ambassadors
    • Reports
      • Annual Reports
      • Audited Financial Statements
      • Program Evaluation Reports
    • Stories
    • Strategic Plan
  • Programs
    • Overview
    • Locations
    • Schedule
    • Apply to OrKidstra
    • OrKidstra @ Home
    • Teachers
      • Our Teachers
      • Become A Teacher
      • Teaching Artist Development Workshops
      • Experiential Teaching Artists Program (ETAP)
    • Mentors
      • Overview
      • Become A Mentor
    • Music
    • Anne Taylor Summer Program
  • Events
    • Book An Event
      • Event Types
      • Book Event
    • Event Galleries
    • Upcoming Events
    • Memorable Performances
  • Support
    • Donation Options
      • Donate Money
      • Donate Instruments
      • Legacy Gifts
      • Donate A Car
      • Host a Party/Event
    • Sponsors
      • Corporate Sponsors
      • Become A Sponsor
    • Donors
      • Foundation & Public Funding
      • Individual Donors
      • Legacy Giving
      • Instrument Donors
    • Volunteers
      • Overview
      • Our Volunteers
      • Become A Volunteer
    • Community Partners
      • Our Partners
      • Become A Partner
  • Stories
  • News
  • Connect
Donate Apply
Skip to content

OrKidstra’s virtual office is open: click here to reach us!   |  OrKidstra @ Home classes start again on Mon., Jan. 11!

OrKidstra
  • News
  • Connect
Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube
  • About
      • About

        Learn about OrKidstra and what we're doing in the community

      • Overview
      • Philosophy & Inspiration
      • Sistema
      • Contact Us
      • Board of Directors
      • Staff
      • Ambassadors
      • Reports
        • Annual Reports
        • Audited Financial Statements
        • Program Evaluation Reports
      • Stories
      • Strategic Plan
  • Programs
      • Programs

        OrKidstra helps kids from under-served Ottawa communities grow their potential through music.

      • Overview
      • Locations
      • Schedule
      • Apply to OrKidstra
      • OrKidstra @ Home
      • Teachers
        • Our Teachers
        • Become A Teacher
        • Teaching Artist Development Workshops
        • Experiential Teaching Artists Program (ETAP)
      • Mentors
        • Overview
        • Become A Mentor
      • Music
      • Anne Taylor Summer Program
  • Events
      • Events

        Personally experience the joy & possibilities that the universal language of music creates.

      • Book An Event
        • Event Types
        • Book Event
      • Upcoming Events
      • Galleries
      • Memorable Performances
      • News
  • Support
      • Support

        Help to change the future of children and their families from under-served communities.

      • Donation Options
        • Donate Money
        • Donate Instruments
        • Legacy Gifts
        • Donate A Car
        • Host a Party/Event
      • Sponsors
        • Corporate Sponsors
        • Become A Sponsor
      • Donors
        • Foundation & Public Funding
        • Individual Donors
        • Legacy Giving
        • Instrument Donors
      • Volunteers
        • Overview
        • Our Volunteers
        • Become A Volunteer
      • Community Partners
        • Our Partners
        • Become A Partner
Donate Apply
Donate Apply

Categories

  • Ambassadors
  • Board Members
  • Donor Impact
  • Fun Stuff
  • Media
  • Memorial
  • New Staff Hires
  • Newsletters
  • OrKidstra In The Community
  • OrKidstra Office
  • Press Releases
  • Program Announcement
  • Research
  • Teaching Artists
  • Uncategorised
  • Work with OrKidstra

Archive

  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013

Mailing List

  • Sign Up

Share

A Note from Ms. Tina

24.11.2020 Donor Impact, OrKidstra In The Community

 

Dear OrKidstra Friend,

I hope this note finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. As I reflect on this unprecedented year, my heart goes out to those in our community who are struggling. Thank you to all those who continue to reach out with a helping hand.

Amid the global upheaval caused by COVID-19, it has become increasingly clear that we need music in our lives, now more than ever. 

Music holds the power to help us heal, the ability to help us rebuild, the connection to give us hope.

Thanks to your ongoing support, OrKidstra continues to help almost 625* local children and youth from under-served communities reach for success through music. It has been incredibly inspiring to see how our OrKidstra students, teachers, volunteers, Board, and staff have adapted, innovated, and thrived in the face of so many challenges.

In mid-March 2020, the halls of OrKidstra fell silent but, guided by OrKidstra’s spirit of love, courage, and excellence, the harmony began to rise again… 

Within ten days, we launched our free online programming, OrKidstra @ Home.

The music played on—line! 

Our commitment was, and is, to connect our students to their community and build essential skills – like dedication, perseverance, and self-confidence – through the joys and challenges of music. Although children and youth have faced unprecedented challenges in 2020, we are proud that the majority of OrKidstra students continue to be involved. We know that the impacts of COVID-19 have been hardest for those living in poverty – and in some OrKidstra neighbourhoods, the child poverty rate remains shockingly high at over 50%.

I recently wrote to our students to encourage them during this difficult time. I shared with them, “… how much I miss seeing you all the time. I miss the beauty and magic you create; I miss the energy, the laughter, and joy. But then I go into the Zoom online classes, and there you all are ♥.  I want to thank you for your incredible commitment during this challenging time.”

Did you know that one of OrKidstra’s goals is to cultivate and grow “grit” in our students?  

What on earth is “grit,” you may ask? Grit is the ability to persist in something you feel passionate about and persevere when you face obstacles. Grit is a predictor of success in life**; I think we can confidently say that our OrKidstra family is “gritty!”  

This family also extends to you – the ongoing commitment of “gritty” community friends and advocates like you is integral to OrKidstra’s success!

We are proud to share that again this year, 100% of our OrKidstra graduates have gone on to the next steps of their education! Over the holiday season, we’ve invited a diverse range of voices, including our graduates, to share their OrKidstra stories; please stay tuned to hear directly from our teachers, students, “OldKidstra,” and volunteers about what OrKidstra means to them. I’ve read some of the stories already, and I was incredibly moved by what they had to say. I think you will love reading them as well.

Upon reflection, what is clear to me is that our extraordinary family adapted, innovated, and changed this year, but what didn’t change was the love. 

Now, more than ever, we need music in our lives. Now, more than ever, we remained connected as an OrKidstra family through the joy, hope, and power of music. Now, more than ever, let’s sing and play every note with love.

Thank you for showing your love this season by donating to OrKidstra.

Wishing you and yours a safe, healthy, and creative year ahead.

With much love,

Tina

Tina Fedeski, MSM
CEO & Artistic Director, OrKidstra 

 

P.S. To help cut down on paper, we’re encouraging everyone to use the safe and secure online donation option on our website at orkidstra.ca. If you prefer to send a cheque or call, we’re also here for you – please call 613.233.0166 or send a cheque to our mailing address below. Thank you!

OrKidstra – Sistema Ottawa
211 Bronson Avenue,
Studios 204 & 210
Ottawa, Ontario  K1R 6H5

*400 in-school (funded by OCDSB) and 225 after-school students
**Angela Duckworth, Founder of the non-profit Character Lab and professor at the University of Pennsylvania

Previous Article
Next Article

ConnectPlay Your Part

There are so many ways to get involved with OrKidstra.
The choice is yours!

Sign Up For Updates

Get the latest news on our programs and events - never miss a beat!

Join Mailing List

Apply For Classes

Looking for an after-school program that is so much more than music?

Apply For OrKidstra

Volunteer Your Time

Do you enjoy music and helping children? We may be a good match!

Become A Volunteer

Donate Today

There are many ways to donate – with money, instruments and more!

View Donation Options

OrKidstra
  • About
    • Overview
    • Philosophy & Inspiration
    • Sistema
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Ambassadors
    • Reports
    • Stories
    • Strategic Plan
  • Programs
    • Overview
    • Locations
    • Schedule
    • Teachers
    • Mentors
    • Music
    • Anne Taylor Summer Program
    • Apply to OrKidstra
    • OrKidstra @ Home
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Galleries
    • Book An Event
    • Memorable Performances
  • Support
    • Donation Options
    • Sponsors
    • Donors
    • Volunteers
    • Community Partners
  • News
  • Connect

Funding for this website provided in part by an anonymous donor and by

City of Ottawa logo

Photography and videography provided in part by Robert S. Vibert, Fangliang Xu, Greg Allison and Jith Paul (Treepot Media).

OrKidstra – Sistema Ottawa
211 Bronson Avenue,

Studios 204 & 210
Ottawa, Ontario  K1R 6H5
613.859.3559
613.233.0166

© 2021. OrKidstra. All Rights Reserved. Charitable Organization # 83246 7153 RR0001

  • Privacy Policy

Design by baytek

ApplyApply to OrKidstra

Families are welcome to submit applications for new students throughout the year. Fall class admissions for 2020 will take place in September and October. Please note, due to COVID-19, all programming will take place virtually (OrKidstra @ Home) until it is safe to return to Hub-based physical programming.

Choose your Ottawa neighbourhood:

  • Centretown/West Centretown Fields

  • Thank you for your interest in OrKidstra's online programming, OrKidstra @ Home. We are now accepting registrations for children aged 5-8 to our KiddlyWinks classes, and 8+ to our KidSingers and KidDrummers classes, beginning mid-October 2020. All classes take place after school.

    Please note: due to the restrictions of COVID-19 and the nature of our current online programming, instrumental classes will NOT be offered to new students at this time.


    Please tick the box beside the program that interests your child:

    If your child is 8+, you may select both KidDrummers and KidSingers.

  • KiddlyWinks and KidSingers Programs * Required
  • Vanier/Overbrook Fields

  • Thank you for your interest in OrKidstra's online programming, OrKidstra @ Home. We are now accepting registrations for children aged 5-8 to our KiddlyWinks classes, and 8+ to our KidSingers and KidDrummers classes, beginning mid-October 2020. All classes take place after school.

    Please note: due to the restrictions of COVID-19 and the nature of our current online programming, instrumental classes will NOT be offered to new students at this time.


    Please tick the box beside the program that interests your child:

    If your child is 8+, you may select both KidDrummers and KidSingers.

  • KiddlyWinks and KidSingers Programs * Required
  • Ledbury – Heron Gate – Ridgemont Fields

  • Thank you for your interest in OrKidstra's online programming, OrKidstra @ Home. We are now accepting registrations for children aged 5-8 to our KiddlyWinks classes, and 8+ to our KidSingers and KidDrummers classes, beginning mid-October 2020. All classes take place after school.

    Please note: due to the restrictions of COVID-19 and the nature of our current online programming, instrumental classes will NOT be offered to new students at this time.


    Please tick the box beside the program that interests your child:

    If your child is 8+, you may select both KidDrummers and KidSingers.

  • KiddlyWinks and KidSingers Programs * Required
  • Contact Fields

  • Child Information

  • Parent/Guardian Information

    Primary

  • Secondary

  • Income Fields

  • The OrKidstra program exists in order to inspire music-making in our children within a great community setting - and the goal of the OrKidstra is to make this program available to all families. The majority of our students participate free of charge.

    With this in mind, once we have reviewed your application, a fee may be requested based on your family’s financial situation. This will help cover the many costs, such as teachers, instruments and rent, ensuring that this community program will continue to be available to children who would not otherwise be able to participate. Our program will remain very affordable for all families.


    Household Financial Information (including income from abroad)*

    Please note that we may require proof of income - all information is strictly confidential

  • How did you hear about OrKidstra? * Required
  • Confirmation Fields

  • Please note that admission is not guaranteed. As class sizes are limited, priority will go to children who live in the Ottawa neighbourhoods listed above, as well as families of lesser means. Any students not accepted will be put on a wait-list and may be offered a spot should any become available.

  • Confirmation * Required
  • Privacy Policy * Required

Donate OnlineMake a donation

Thanks so much for your support! Please complete the form below (powered by CanadaHelps) to donate online. For more donation options, click here. 

Sign UpSubscribe to Our Mailing List

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Gmail
  • LinkedIn