The idea of a NGO that would allow children from working class milieus and villages to benefit from an education in music was born in October 2001 in Dharwad, India. As a result of a collaboration between Agathe, Mathieu, and Blaise Fortier, three India and music lovers, and Ustad Hameed Khan, a renowned sitarist, singing, sitar, and tabla lessons began to be offered at the Malmadi School in the evenings. For nearly a year, these daily musical activities allowed approximately forty boys and girls to acquaint themselves with music and discover their artistic potential.

Following the success of this venture, its initiators became convinced of the children’s capacity to learn music and of its positive effects on them. They thus decided to begin working fulltime to set up a boarding school where the children could learn music on a regular basis while enjoying a quality academic curriculum.

In June 2002, in order to give their new enterprise a legal basis, Agathe, Mathieu, and Blaise registered an organization under the name of Young Musicians of the World in Quebec. With the aim of collecting the funds necessary to the project, they organized a benefit at the Quebec Museum of Civilization on the 17th of August, 2002 with the help of a number of artists, volunteers, and sponsors. The success of this event surpassed everyone’s expectations. From then on, these fundraisers, held annually, have generated an important part of the funds crucial to the organization’s activities. Since 2004, these shows have been put on in Quebec and in Montreal.

Throughout the years, Young Musicians of the World has had the good fortune of receiving support from preeminent Quebec artists during its shows. Participating musicians include Daniel Bélanger, Ariane Moffatt, Yves Lambert, Jorane, Olivier Jones, Fred Pellerin, Mes Aïeux, Michel Rivard, les Cowboys fringants, Paul Piché, the Respectables, Loco Locass, Jim Corcoran, Florent Vollant, Yann Perreau, Marc Déry, Mara Tremblay, Antoine Gratton, DJ Champion, Stefie Shock, Tomas Jensen, Éloi and Jonathan Painchaud, the Batinses, Ghislain Poirier, among many others.

Consequently, after the first benefit show, the Malmadi School moved to Kalkeri, a quiet village located several kilometers from Dharwad. The organization of the school allowed the children to invest in their musical studies fulltime and long-term. Today, the Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya offers over 100 girls and boys lodging and meals, a musical and academic education, and the opportunity to discover the principles of living in a harmonious community.

The success of the second benefit show prompted the foundation of a traditional music school at Patro-Laval, a community center established about 100 years ago in the Saint-Sauveur district of Quebec City, in November 2003. At present, the school accommodates more than 80 children two to three evenings per week and gives them the opportunity to participate in the radiance of Quebec’s musical heritage under the tutelage of professional musicians and dancers.

After a pilot project, a third school was born in November 2005 in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district of Montreal, and settled into the quarter’s communal educational centre (Pavillon d’éducation communautaire or PEC). This school is equally dedicated to the transmission of the province’s musical heritage and currently accommodates approximately sixty students.

Moreover, contacts have been established with various individuals and organizations in order to, eventually, bring other music schools to life in Mali, Brazil, the First Nations of Quebec . . .

Considering the enthusiasm of the children who participate in Young Musicians of the World’s projects and the support that the organization receives from diverse directions, these initiatives are bound to multiply.

In order to realize this dream and establish new schools, Young Musicians of the World needs you.

Thank you for your support!