The Lyre’s Dream: Singing from the Past, Playing for the Future

-

Montreal, March 24, 2026 –  On Thursday,  April 23 (7 pm)  Montrealers will be invited to journey across the centuries as The Lyre’s Dream comes to life in a special presentation and mini concert, the culmination of eighteen months of dedication, imagination, and artistry, at the Rosemount High School Auditorium (3737 Beaubien East). There will be no admission charge.

More than a performance, The Lyre’s Dream is a passage through time. This  English Montreal School Board (EMSB) educational and artistic initiative has at its heart the revival of the ancient Greek lyre, an instrument once central to the poetry and music of the classical Mediterranean world. Long silent, its voice has been brought back to life through the pioneering work of Dr. Nikos Xanthoulis, composer, lyrist, Associate Researcher with the Academy of Athens, and Correspondent Member of the Archaeological Institute of America.


The Montreal presentation will feature the EMSB Chorale and Symphonic Ensemble, conducted by Marie Eve Arseneau, EMSB student narrators together with lyric soloists and project organizers Maria Diamantis and Dimitris Ilias.

In this performance, the students become guides across time. Through their voices, ancient music and poetry resonate once again, transforming the stage into a meeting place between past and present.

The Lyre’s Dream is also the result of an international collaboration spanning four countries. The artistic and scholarly foundations of the project originate in Greece, while the symphonic sound world is enriched through collaboration with musicians connected to the Sofia Session Orchestra of Bulgaria. The educational heart of the initiative lives in Canada through the participation of EMSB students. The program also draws inspiration from the literary and poetic heritage preserved in ancient Hebrew texts, including the Song of Songs, one of the most enduring works of lyrical poetry from the ancient Near East, whose imagery and musicality form an important cultural bridge within the shared traditions of the Mediterranean world.

By placing the Greek lyre in conversation with choral voices, narration, and symphonic textures, The Lyre’s Dream invites audiences to rediscover a musical language that once echoed through temples and theatres more than two thousand years ago.

Through the voices of Montreal’s young performers, that sound is heard again. It sings from the past and plays for the future.

For more information log on to:  https://www.emsb.qc.ca/emsb/schools/initiatives/lyresdream

About the English Montreal School Board

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 33,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, the EMSB network consists of 73 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca

-30-

Contact:

Michael J. Cohen

Manager,  Marketing and Communications

English Montreal School Board

mcohen@emsb.qc.ca 


Popular posts from this blog

EMSB recognizes employees for 25 years of service

-
Image
For the first time in four years, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the  English Montreal School Board resumed its traditional Long Service reception to honour  employees with 25 years of service at Le Crystal in St. Laurent.   A total of 136 employees, ranging from teachers, administrators and support staff, were recognized for a quarter century of service.  This year EMSB Director General Nicholas Katalifos, honored those employees with a letter of congratulations and Monarch watches.  “For the past 25 years, your dedication to education, your diligence and your contributions to the English Montreal School Board has benefited many students and staff, " he said. You can see our photo album here . This year's  honourees were: Angela Spagnolo (fourth from the right) with commissioners and EMSB officials. From the central head office : Angela Spagnolo and Rick David from AEVS; Markela Zyglakis from the Office of the Director General; Annik Malenfant from...
Read more

EMSB recognizes employees with 25 years of service

-
Image
Edward Murphy Elementary School Principal Christina Chilelli is congratulated. Montreal, May 23, 2025 - English Montreal School Board Director General Nicholas Katalifos and EMSB Chair, Joe Ortona, honored the employees with; “For the past 25 years, your dedication to education, your diligence and your contributions to the English Montreal School Board has benefited many students and staff.”  The honored employees also received a token of appreciation for their years of service. You can see all of the photos taken by Nur Erdem here This year's  honourees are, from the Administration Building; Caroline Dupuis, Immacolata Ienaro from Educational Services; Isabelle Dion and Heleine Lefebvre Human Resources; Kris Bennett and David Verrillo Information Technology Services; Brigida Sellato from the Office of the Secretary General; and Paola Borzone from Student Services. From Adult Education & Vocational Centres; Hoda Fayed from AEVS Department; Frédéric Boudreault from HSM; Ti...
Read more

EMSB to recognize Volunteers of Distinction and present Lifetime Achievement Award

-
Image
Montreal, April 16, 2025 - On the occasion of National Volunteer Week,  which will be marked from April 27 to May 3, the English Montreal School Board will hold a special  reception and ceremon to honour two Volunteers of Distinction, as well as the presentation of the  Lifetime  Achievement Award.   The program will take place at the  St. Pius X Career Centre (9955 Papineau) in Ahuntsic on Tuesday, April 29   where the honourees, their families, EMSB commissioners, management, in-school administrators and Parents Committee executive members will be treated  to dinner catered by the culinary students. This will be followed by an awards ceremony  streamed live on the EMSB website.  A special guest for the evening was Tyson Philpot, the star wide receiver for the Montreal Alouettes who is excited to see the St. Pius X culinary students at work. He confided that if he was not a professional football player, he might have become a chef...
Read more