All funds raised in connection with the Bal des enfants are destined to support the OSM’s missions of education and accessibility. They enable the OSM to continue to develop its future audiences by offering an early introduction to classical music, to implement inclusive projects in the community, especially with those who stand to benefit the most, to support younger generations of local musicians and to offer broadly accessible summer programming.

Since the first Bal des enfants took place 8 years ago, the OSM has been able to invest nearly 1M$ into its educational and accessibility programmes and to welcome more than 2,400 people from families sponsored by organizations dedicated to children, to attend the Bal des enfants free of charge.

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Developing tomorrow’s audiences

• An annual attendance of 25,000 young people aged 5 to 7 years at the Children’s Corner series (family concerts) and Youth Matinees (concerts for groups of schoolchildren);
• 7 Opus Awards from the Conseil québécois de la musique in recognition of high-quality performance and production
• Accessible rates ($9-$12 per schoolchild);
• Support for schools in making classical music more accessible (pedagogical materials, visits from the OSM Monitor Squad).

 

Coordinating inclusive projects in the community for those who stand to benefit the most

• Approximately 10 projects per year in collaboration with community organizations and special education programmes;
• Focus on disadvantaged clientele (underprivileged communities, children on the autism spectrum, refugee families, newcomers to Quebec, etc.)

 

Supporting younger generations of local musicians

• Engagement with young Quebec and Canadian talent (training, masterclasses, mentoring amateur artists as part of our summer programming, etc.);
• Annual OSM Competition since 1940, the largest Canada-wide classical music competition: an advanced-level competition offering mentorship and support in professional development for its winners, boasting a prestigious jury and reputable partnering organizations.

 

Widely accessible summer programming

• Three concerts in the parks of Greater Montreal and a large-scale outdoor concert on the Esplanade of the Olympic Park, which drew more than 50,000 spectators in 2019;
• Classical Spree summer festival drawing tens of thousands of spectators annually for the past 7 years: highly affordable concerts (tickets starting at $10) as well as free performances and activities over 5 days at the Place des Arts and on Sainte-Catherine Street. Approximately 500 artists participate annually.