June 2nd, 2005
Alexandria & Roberto
| The Leading Note Foundation was inspired by a phenomenal youth music program that has taken the world by storm, in Venezuela, called El Sistema. This program has changed and saved the lives of countless children, and is now recognized in the world, as a prime model for music programs starting up now, as we write, in Los Angeles, New York City, and Glasgow. The main premise being, that if you offer a child the instrument and the education to enrich their life spiritually, they will find the means to feed and clothe themselves, but most importantly, become active contributors to society. |
| The Leading Note Foundation Our Story |
January 2007-January 2008
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| The Leading Note Foundation, made up of professional and freelance musicians in the Ottawa area, felt inspired to bring music to all children in Ottawa, regardless of their socio/economic background, to make music together in a spirited and positive environment. January 2007, Tina Fedeski and Margaret Munro Tobolowska decide to create a youth music program for Ottawa children. Tina travels to Venezuela in March 2007 and becomes involved with El Sistema. Spring 2007 sees the compiling of the business plan for the new OrKidstra Youth Music Program set to begin in the Fall 2007. |
Margaret Munro Tobolowska, cellist with the National
Arts Centre Orchestra, teacher and Vice-president of
The Leading Note Foundation - adjusting and setting
up tiny violins at The Leading Note Store on Elgin
Street.
Margaret, cellist, and Susan Rupp, violinist, with NACO
set up 27 violins of all sizes and colours! This is the
way a cellist tries out how they sound - by playing Bach
Cello Suites!
Arts Centre Orchestra, teacher and Vice-president of
The Leading Note Foundation - adjusting and setting
up tiny violins at The Leading Note Store on Elgin
Street.
Margaret, cellist, and Susan Rupp, violinist, with NACO
set up 27 violins of all sizes and colours! This is the
way a cellist tries out how they sound - by playing Bach
Cello Suites!
Karen Donnelly– principal trumpet of
the National Arts Centre Orchestra,
teacher and Music Consultant for
The Leading Note Foundation.
Karen unpacking new instruments
and trying out trumpets donated by
Mike’s Music.
the National Arts Centre Orchestra,
teacher and Music Consultant for
The Leading Note Foundation.
Karen unpacking new instruments
and trying out trumpets donated by
Mike’s Music.
Tina Fedeski - teacher and President
of The Leading Note Foundation, also
owner of the Leading Note Store along
with Gary McMillen, our Chief Financial
Officer.
Tina tries out flutes that have been
donated. Some were too old to make
a sound, but a few were gems and
were packed up to take to the Bronson
Centre for our new students.
of The Leading Note Foundation, also
owner of the Leading Note Store along
with Gary McMillen, our Chief Financial
Officer.
Tina tries out flutes that have been
donated. Some were too old to make
a sound, but a few were gems and
were packed up to take to the Bronson
Centre for our new students.
Summer 2007
Our business plan is coming together and the Leading Note Store on Elgin Street is the hub for all the
instruments that are being acquired, either by purchase or donation, for the young recipients that will
start in October 2007. To this date, we have more than $10000 worth of instrument donations.
Our business plan is coming together and the Leading Note Store on Elgin Street is the hub for all the
instruments that are being acquired, either by purchase or donation, for the young recipients that will
start in October 2007. To this date, we have more than $10000 worth of instrument donations.
Please check back here, as the story is currently being uploaded. Thank you.
Guy Harrison, our local luthier and string instrument expert has offered his service to appraise all donated
instruments for free, so that we can issue appropriate tax receipts for these donations.
The word is spreading throughout the musical community, and the Foundation gains the support of many
musicians in the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Currently we have four musicians from the National Arts
Centre Orchestra teaching, two Suzuki trained instructors, one teacher from the Ottawa Youth Orchestra
Academy, as well as 2 University of Ottawa student teachers. We have 8 mentors from the Youth Orchestra
Academy who are committed to helping in their community by assisting our teachers and students.
instruments for free, so that we can issue appropriate tax receipts for these donations.
The word is spreading throughout the musical community, and the Foundation gains the support of many
musicians in the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Currently we have four musicians from the National Arts
Centre Orchestra teaching, two Suzuki trained instructors, one teacher from the Ottawa Youth Orchestra
Academy, as well as 2 University of Ottawa student teachers. We have 8 mentors from the Youth Orchestra
Academy who are committed to helping in their community by assisting our teachers and students.
The Foundation connects and finds
its home among other non-profit
organizations at the Bronson Centre
in Centretown. The welcome is warm
and the space and location is great
as many of the students are within
walking distance! Our office is
located there, as well as the classes
take place there on Monday
evenings.
its home among other non-profit
organizations at the Bronson Centre
in Centretown. The welcome is warm
and the space and location is great
as many of the students are within
walking distance! Our office is
located there, as well as the classes
take place there on Monday
evenings.
In October 2007, we organized our first fundraising concert to raise awareness of our Foundation and to
begin our fundraising initiatives.
begin our fundraising initiatives.
The concert was given on October 22’nd, 2007 at McCleod
Stewerton United Church in Centretown. This concert
involved 12 NACO musicians who donated their services,
along with a talented group of young musicians from Ottawa,
Trio Scherzando. The support of the community and the
turn out was overwhelming. To date, we have raised $14000
in donations from private individuals and local Ottawa
businesses who believe that music enhances and truly
creates a more kind and tolerant community.
Stewerton United Church in Centretown. This concert
involved 12 NACO musicians who donated their services,
along with a talented group of young musicians from Ottawa,
Trio Scherzando. The support of the community and the
turn out was overwhelming. To date, we have raised $14000
in donations from private individuals and local Ottawa
businesses who believe that music enhances and truly
creates a more kind and tolerant community.
Ottawa Citizen Critics Picks Ocotober 13, 2007.
| Please Click on photos to enlarge thumbnail images. |
Our sponsors and donors are: Socially conscious members of our community that are
equally passionate about their business and the business of contributing back to
their community. They are Passionate about the well-being of our children and about
the arts, especially music. They are our leaders in making Canada a better place.
equally passionate about their business and the business of contributing back to
their community. They are Passionate about the well-being of our children and about
the arts, especially music. They are our leaders in making Canada a better place.
The Foundation connects with the principals of schools in the Centretown area with presentations and forms
for the parents of the interested children to fill out. We receive 97 applications, with only 46 spaces available!
Ottawa Citizen Article by Steven Mazey October
13, 2007.
The Ottawa Citizen’s Steven Mazey, joins us at
Cambridge Elementary School where our first
eager students get a chance to see and feel
some of our instruments and pose for the
camera!
13, 2007.
The Ottawa Citizen’s Steven Mazey, joins us at
Cambridge Elementary School where our first
eager students get a chance to see and feel
some of our instruments and pose for the
camera!
On October 22, 2007, we meet all the students for their first class!
Jean Barsalou, our Suzuki specialist
teacher and our junior violin students.
teacher and our junior violin students.
We are sizing the children for the
proper violin size, as the instruments
come in a range of sizes; 1/8, ¼, ½, ¾
and full size.
proper violin size, as the instruments
come in a range of sizes; 1/8, ¼, ½, ¾
and full size.
Susan Rupp, our senior violin
teacher sizing our students.
teacher sizing our students.
The proper fit is
a must for these
budding new
violinists and
they will require
different sizes as
they grow.
a must for these
budding new
violinists and
they will require
different sizes as
they grow.
Bunny holds abound, as the children get
their first lesson from U of O Student
Teacher, Paul Casey, on how to hold the
bow.
their first lesson from U of O Student
Teacher, Paul Casey, on how to hold the
bow.
Tippy Toes - Tobolowska