Aeolian General Campaign

Spreading Music, Changing Lives

 What would your life be like without music?

Music has the power to inspire, enlighten and transform.  It is a Universal Language that breaks down barriers and speaks to our collective humanity.

The Aeolian believes that everyone should have access to music and the arts.

Help us present excellence in performance and continue to offer and create revolutionary arts programs that build better communities.

Why

• help sustain and grow the aeolian’s programs including concerts, el sistema aeolian, aeolian pride choruses london, aeolian talks and our art shows
• help preserve and restore our designated heritage site: the aeolian hall
• Promote diversity in our programming and foster Social Inclusion and Social Justice in our communities
• To offer Universal Access to Music, Art, Culture and Education through our free opportunities such as El Sistema Aeolian and Aeolian Talks
• Maintain our presence locally, nationally and internationally as a top venue in Canada
• To offer opportunities to our local musicians to perform in a world-class “Legendary” venue
• To help us purchase new equipment needed for our performance and teaching spaces

WHAT

• Designated Historical Site: Aeolian Hall (1884)
• Run by a Canadian Non-Profit Organization with Charitable Status: The Aeolian Hall Musical Arts Association
• Board Members are highly experienced
• Voted as Best Live Venue by the Forest City London Music Awards four times
• Voted by CBC Radio 3 Searchlight Contest as one of the top venues in Canada
• Small paid staff and large volunteer support

HOW

• Present Concerts and events with very diverse offerings
• Offer our facility for rent including special affordable rates for Non-Profit Organizations
• Supporters include Government, Foundations, Corporate and Individuals
• Create programming that supports disadvantaged populations
• Work with Community Partners to help strengthen and grow opportunities in our community
• Work with newcomers to help give opportunities in our programs and help them find a home in our community

Testimonials

Artist

“Aeolian Hall is a cozy theatre which hosts an abundance of local, national and international artists on their world-class stage…From the hall’s historic décor, artsy volunteers, hard-working staff, local brew, amazing entertainment, and heart-filling acoustics,  the word about Aeolian Hall is being spread far and wide and people are catching on to the gift that London Ontario natives are calling “The place to be for a great night out”. As a business-person, I am impressed by the organizational skills of the staff behind the scenes who work diligently to make sure each show goes without a hitch. Aeolian Hall is a magical place, built on love.  And all who enter its doors will be touched by this magic. It truly is the place to be!”
– Sarah Smith

Volunteer

“I love volunteering at the Hall for a number of reasons. There is an obvious giving back to the community but there is also the Aeolian community itself. The staff and volunteers are a great group of people from diverse backgrounds. We all start here for the love of music and stay for the community we are building.”

– Cindy Thomas

PROGRAM PARTICIPANT

“It means safe fun with people I like, it’s good to be with people of like mind.”

– Candace, Aeolian Pride Choruses London

PROGRAM PARTICIPANT

“I cannot express the impact that El Sistema has had on our family. Ella has blossomed as a confident eight-year-old and is identifying herself as a violin player. She often takes the opportunity to practice and teach her siblings the violin and has expressed her love for music […] Since starting in October of 2013, Ella has been invited to play her violin for various house guests and has been asked to play at several community events. This has enabled her to gain more confidence in her playing abilities and has also allowed her to connect with her emerging talent. El Sistema has truly opened many doors for my daughter, and through her, it is affecting the entire family in a positive way. I cannot express my sincere gratitude for this wonderful program. Many thanks for giving her this life-changing opportunity!” 
– Martha M., Parent of El Sistema Aeolian Student

2025 aeolian General Campaign Donors

Ailene Wittstein
Angela Desand
Anonymous
Barbara Scott
Bernie VanDenBelt
Bill Jansen
Bradley McKay
Carole Echlin
David Crawford & Julia Holland
David Johnstone
Debra Gilpin
Don Kelly
Dorinda Lewis
Gord and Maria Hardcastle
H Elizabeth Parmeter
Highstreet Asset Management Ltd.
Ian Cooper
James Shreve
Janet Wombwell
Jennifer Watt
Jerry and Brenda Sagriff
Joel Faflak
Jonathan Stover
Julia Mullins
Julie Fisher
Karen Lilley
Kate Bloxham
Kathy Seguin
Kennedy Kimber-Johnson
Kristen Diotte
Leila Bakhtiari
Leslee Lefteruk
Liz Thompson
Lynn Tremain
Mark and Donna Teeple
Marvin Weisler
Michael Parody
Mike Nagle
Miriam Mann Medicine Professional Corporation
Oscar Gomez
Paul Cooper and David Hiebert
Phil Waldie
Pierre Bussieres
Pirkko Sheldrick
Renny Thomson
Vimla Harry and Robert Heacock
Robert McCullough
Susan Soney
Thomas Peace
William Whitlock

2025 AEOLIAN PRIDE CHORUSES DONORS

Anonymous Donor

In kind donations

Mike Hanson

el sistema “gift of music campaign”

Gift of Music, Gift of Community

ESA Gift of Music brochure 2024

Did you ever have “lessons” when you were young?  Whether they were swimming, hockey, music, art, dance or other lessons, think of your life without those experiences.  How would that change you?

Now imagine a program that offers to give high quality and intensive music education to youth in our city.

Your donation supports more than 115 Children between the ages of 6 and 18 to play in orchestras, sing in choirs and enjoy a healthy dinner and snack.  All of these experiences are 100% free, helping fill the gap between those receiving an enriched music education and those who don’t.

Many great musicians are acting as advocates for our program and have collaborated with the participants.    Marc Jordan, Royal Wood, Valdi, Yuri Pool and Matt Alber have all put their names behind this incredible opportunity as Honorary Patrons.

Why

• Inspire youth with the gift of music
• Fill the gap between those receiving enriched music education and those who don’t
• Eliminate many barriers to participation including economic, social and academic
• Cultivate Leadership and Peer Mentorship as transferable skills
• Help participants and their families to have a sense of belonging in our community
• Improve abilities such as memory, tactile skills, spatial reasoning and literary skills

What

• A free, intensive music program open to all without audition or experience
• Part of a Global movement of programs in 86 countries, winning TED, UNESCO and the Glen Gould Awards
• Over 115 participants perform in orchestras, sing in choirs, eat nutritious meals and perform many concerts each year
• Unique Leadership and Peer Mentorship program taught in collaboration with Western University’s Don Wright Faculty of music

How

• Minimum 3 days of training for 2.5 hours per day
• Highly qualified music teachers many with Master’s Degrees or higher level training
• Our home: The Aeolian Education Campus at first-st andrew’s united church in the heart of London
• 15 to 20 performances per year
• Over 50 volunteers support the classrooms, teaching and meals

Testimonials

Participant

“El Sistema Aeolian has made a big impact on my life specially when I was going through a hard time in my life. Going to El Sistema has helped me to escape all my worries and struggles. Thanks to the people that I met in the program who are so supportive, I became a more positive person who learn to love the music. I can feel the rhythm of each piece we play and in that moment I feel that we are just one trying to express the way that I see the world now. My mom loves the sound of my voice and she says that I have improved a lot since I am in the choir. Thanks so much to El Sistema Aeolian and all the people that are in the program they are like my family I feel at home when I am there.
– Laura C.

Parent

“This is my son’s fourth year at El Sistema Aeolian. He’s gained a real sense of musical technique and confidence, which is wonderful to witness. El Sistema is also a place of community where he enjoys spending time with friends and skilled teachers. This sense of belonging and responsibility to others has been an invaluable and enriching experience for our son and our family as a whole.”
– Ann T.

 Honorary Patron

 “Nothing develops a young mind more successfully, nor sets them on the right path quicker than the arts and the proper after school program to go with it. El Sistema Aeolian levels the playing field and allows more than just the privileged children an opportunity to expand their mind and abilities. El Sistema gives children the tools to change the world for the better.”

– Royal Wood

El sistema “sponsor a participant”

ESA Sponsor a Participant brochure 2024

Why sponsor a participant?

Sponsor an ESA participant and make an investment in the lives of youth in the community. Help support the opportunity to experience and learn music while cultivating teamwork, mutual respect, compassion and leadership. Your commitment to El Sistema Aeolian provides the needed stability to operate, develop, and expand this program to youth in our London Community.

Testimonials

Parent

“This program has had a huge impact on our family. Being a single mother has its challenges, and one of those challenges is engaging my children into life-long skills training at a reasonable price.  El Sistema Aeolian has made it possible for my kids to be a member of a skilled music program and confidently be a contributing force to the larger community that listens to their wonderful music, all provided for free. I am thrilled with the way my kids have grown as musicians, socially, and overall as contributing members of a community.”

– M. Macause

Parent

“My son has been in the El Sistema Aeolian program for over three years so far.   I have seen since the day he started huge progress in my son life ever since.   El Sistema is one of those programs that not only brings music to a kid`s life, it is also an integral program where all their capacities are tested to the level of excellence.   I can say that today my son has gained skills and knowledge not only in music, it is also social demureness, leadership, public speech, matures, stronger character making decision, independence and more. This program is well based in terms of the orientation to grow potential leaders in the music field that will bring value to the society in the near future.   The art of music through the El Sistema goes beyond any possible expectation.   I encourage everyone to participate actively promoting the social benefit of El Sistema Aeolian as organization.  I am so blessed of this wonderful opportunity.   My big thanks to all the El Sistema directors, coordinator, volunteers and everyone involved, working hard changing life for a better future.    Thank you El Sistema Aeolian!”
– Manuel Romero

parent

“We rely on and deeply appreciate the healthy meals that’s are created by the volunteers in the El Sistema program. It allows us to transition our daughter from the end of busy school day to the beginning of her El Sistema programming. Knowing that she has had a chance to decompress, eat a healthy meal and socialize with peers is important to fuel her body and mind. This is also time well spent on further developing new and existing relationships with peers.” 
– Bob & Penney Aggelonitis

volunteer

“Every time I see the El Sistema participants perform and see the growth in their music and confidence in themselves always gives me a special thrill having been involved with getting to know some of the participants over the years.”

– Janice Mark

2025 EL SISTEMA AEOLIAN DONORS

Aija Downing
Anonymous
Beverley Zaifman
Elyse Fisher
Janice Palarca
Jim Cressman
Jim Robson
John Howitt
John Wiebe
Karen Clarke
Sandra Milena
Westfield Public School

ESA PATRON PROGRAM DONORS

Friends of London Civic Gardens Complex
ETFO Thames Valley Occasional Teachers’ Local

el sistema Aeolian “gift catalogue”

Click here to see the El Sistema Aeolian Gift Catalogue.  Instruments and prices are on page 2 (scroll down to see them).

ESA Gift Catalogue 2024

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Please contact us by phone at 519-672-7950, by email at info@aeolianhall.ca or donate online at Donate Online at: www.CanadaHelps.org by selecting “El Sistema Gift Catalogue” from the list of funds and indicate what instruments would would like to purchase with your donation.