Demos

Focus on DÉMOS

Through the Démos program, music is inspiring a world of possibilities for children across France and becoming a catalyst for greater social change. An initiative created and sustained by Philharmonie de Paris, Démos supports budding young musicians and creates community orchestras all across France, fostering cultural and social development leading to greater opportunities for its participants.

Friends of Fondation de France has supported the innovative program and its efforts for broader inclusion of all children into France’s cultural heritage — and opportunities beyond the life-changing power of music — since Démos’ founding in 2010.

Démos focuses on developing and nurturing young musicians in underprivileged areas where artistic opportunities may be lacking due to economic, social or geographic barriers. Currently in nearly 50 urban and rural areas, the program aims to engage children ages 7-12.

Participants are provided with their own instruments for free and receive regular classical music education for three years, including weekly workshops and monthly gatherings of the orchestra. They not only experience the joy and creativity of music, but benefit from the development of social, emotional and cognitive skills, including confidence, perseverance, and discipline.

Participants in the program receive their own instruments and are provided regular classical musical education, including weekly workshops and monthly gatherings of the orchestra. Children introduced to classical music not only discover joy and creativity, benefiting from the development of social, emotional and cognitive skills, such as confidence, perseverance and discipline.

“Through music, children take part in new kinds of learning, feel the rewards of their hard work, and experience the joy of working together in an orchestral ensemble.”

Isabelle Mommessin
Major donor to Démos

Démos also has a strong social services element. Music classes are taught in community centers that the families are used to attending and social workers are present in the program, along with professional musicians. After the three-year program, more than 50% of children continue learning music and the effects are also noticeable in school attendance and grades.

“Through music, children take part in new kinds of learning, feel the rewards of their hard work, and experience the joy of working together in an orchestral ensemble,” said Isabelle Mommessin, a major donor to Démos.

At the end of each Démos season the children’s orchestras give major concerts in their local area at a culturally significant venue. In addition, the national program holds a weekend of end-of-season concerts at the Philharmonie de Paris’ main concert hall, when young musicians from all over France are invited to play in front of their proud families and an audience of thousands.

More than 12,000 children have taken part in the Démos program since it was created by Cité de la musique – Philharmonie de Paris. Démos leaders hope to see that number continue to climb in the years ahead as they work to open new paths for the inclusion of more children from different backgrounds.

"These children proudly take instruments home and then, three years later, they perform at the Philharmonie on the same stage as the finest professional musicians. For the rest of their lives, these children will know the power of music, commitment, and community," Nicolas Dufourcq, CEO of BPI France, a leading supporter of Démos.