The Promise of Music’s First World Congress: A Global Celebration of Music’s Social Power
October 6 – 10, 2025
Aga Khan Museum and Various Locations
Toronto will welcome an unprecedented gathering this autumn as The Promise of Music launches its inaugural World Congress on the Social Impact of Music, from October 6 to 10, 2025. Organized by the Glenn Gould Foundation, this five-day celebration brings together artists, educators, activists, and audiences to explore how music can transform societies, empower communities, and inspire hope.
Hosted across some of the city’s most dynamic cultural venues, the Congress will feature world-class performances, keynote talks, and thought-provoking forums. It stands as a bold affirmation that music is more than art—it is a force for social change.
Event Schedule Highlights
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 6 | 2–3:15 p.m. | Jamie Bernstein on the Power of Music and Media (forum) |
| 7 p.m. | Opening: The Glenn Gould Foundation Presents: The Promise of Music Celebration (performances + keynote) | |
| Oct 7 | 12:45–1:45 p.m. | Music in Exile: The Struggle to Preserve Culture (forum) |
| 8 p.m. | Afghanistan National Institute of Music: The Inextinguishable Flame (concert) | |
| Oct 8 | 1–2 p.m. | Rooted in Movement: Art, Equity, and Community (keynote by Lil Buck) |
| 3 p.m. | Firdaus Orchestra (performance) | |
| 8 p.m. | Lara Somos Vocal Ensemble: Music Beyond Barriers (performance) | |
| Oct 9 | 8 p.m. | The Sunshine Orchestra with special guest A.R. Rahman (concert in Mississauga) |
| Oct 10 | 8 p.m. | A.R. Rahman – solo performance (grand finale) |
A Star-Studded Opening
The Congress begins on October 6 with a sweeping opening celebration at the Nanji Family Foundation Auditorium. The evening will be emceed by acclaimed actor Viggo Mortensen, whose artistry and advocacy underscore his belief in culture’s ability to bridge divides. The programme includes stirring performances from the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, the all-female Firdaus Orchestra, and the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura—an ensemble from Paraguay that creates instruments from recycled materials, symbolizing resilience through creativity.
A keynote address by Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire, celebrated Canadian humanitarian and champion for human rights, sets a powerful tone. Dallaire, known for his leadership during the Rwandan genocide and his lifelong commitment to peace, will speak about the ability of music to foster healing and resilience in times of crisis.
Forums and Conversations
Beyond the performances, the Congress highlights music’s intellectual and social dimensions. Jamie Bernstein, daughter of legendary composer Leonard Bernstein, will lead a forum on music and media, exploring how storytelling and sound shape public consciousness. Another timely conversation, Music in Exile, sheds light on the plight of artists forced to flee their homelands, and the role of music in preserving cultural identity.
On October 8, Memphis-born dancer Lil Buck takes centre stage with Rooted in Movement, a keynote merging street dance and classical traditions. Recognized internationally for his mastery of “jookin,” Lil Buck will share how movement and music intersect to build equity, opportunity, and community.
Musical Highlights
Each evening brings unforgettable performances. On October 7, the Afghanistan National Institute of Music will deliver The Inextinguishable Flame, a testament to resilience in the face of cultural oppression. The following day, the Firdaus Orchestra, created under the mentorship of A.R. Rahman, showcases the talents of women musicians from the Middle East and beyond. Later that night, the Lara Somos Vocal Ensemble brings voices together across borders in Music Beyond Barriers.
On October 9, the Congress moves to Mississauga for a landmark performance by the Sunshine Orchestra, a youth ensemble nurtured by Rahman’s K.M. Music Conservatory. They will perform alongside Rahman himself, blending youthful energy with global artistry.
The Congress culminates on October 10 with A.R. Rahman’s solo concert. The Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer, renowned for his genre-blending scores and humanitarian projects, will close the gathering with a deeply moving finale.
Music as a Global Promise
The Promise of Music’s World Congress is more than a festival—it is a call to action. By convening visionaries like Viggo Mortensen, Roméo Dallaire, Jamie Bernstein, Lil Buck, and A.R. Rahman, the Congress highlights music’s ability to heal, connect, and inspire.
As Toronto hosts this unprecedented gathering, audiences will not only enjoy extraordinary artistry but also witness how music can spark conversations, uplift communities, and shape a more empathetic future. This inaugural Congress sets the stage for a continuing global movement—one where the promise of music is embraced as a promise of humanity itself.