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New home, new Orchestra, new beginnings!

In September 2023, the doors of our new permanent home in Nicosia opened to welcome 80 new children. šŸ” Ā A second-string orchestra in Nicosia became a reality, with children who were patiently waiting to join for the past 4 years! šŸŽ»šŸ‘
Older children from our Intermediate Orchestra graciously offered their help to our newcomers, joining and helping their teachers in lessons and rehearsals. They were never asked to do that, and it caught us by surprise! With their actions they confirmed that we are indeed one big family! šŸ’—
All the above would not be possible without our supporters.
We thank our Corporate Sponsor, Mohari Hospitality, who funds the running costs of the second Strings orchestra amongst other running costs.
We are also beyond thankful to Yianis Christodoulou Foundation, who for the third time since 2018 continues to support us with the purchase of musical instruments for the needs of the second orchestra.
Also, the Anastasios G. Leventis Foundation, which has consistently supported us since the beginning of our operation.

Sistema Cyprus Succeeds in GlobalGiving’s Accelerator, Becomes Recognized Partner of GlobalGiving

Sistema Cyprus is pleased to announce that they have graduated from the GlobalGiving Accelerator program, gaining entry into theĀ GlobalGivingĀ marketplace and becoming a recognized partner of GlobalGiving. As part of the Accelerator, Sistema Cyprus successfully raised $5,008 from 84 unique individual donors to support their project, ā€œHelp 200 children change their lives through music.ā€

ā€œWe’re thrilled to have Sistema Cyprus as part of our community. Sistema Cyprus has met our rigorous vetting standards for trust and community support, and we’re committed to providing tools, training, and support as they learn, grow and become more effective,ā€ said Alix Guerrier, CEO of GlobalGiving. ā€œGlobalGiving donors value the opportunity to support nonprofits like Sistema Cyprus, knowing that they’ll get regular updates about how their donations are put to work.ā€

ā€œSistema Cyprus is a social-music orchestra and choir program established in 2018, offering free music education to the children and young people of the small island of Cyprus, including migrants, refugees and children and young people with fewer opportunities. Sistema Cyprus ensures these groups are respected, recognized and included in society, focusing on the personal development of its participants focusing primarily on empowerment and helping them reach their full potential through music.ā€, said Myria Kkali, project leader at Sistema Cyprus.

ā€œVisit our project, ā€˜Help 200 children change their lives through music’ to learn how even $11 can make a difference:Ā http://goto.gg/51703ā€œ.

The Queen speaks to Commonwealth volunteers during first virtual musical performance by Sistema Cyprus

In November 2020, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIĀ joined a video call with three winners of the Commonwealth Points of Light award, to celebrate their achievements and the importance of volunteers across the Commonwealth. The call included The Queen’s first ever virtual musical performance and virtual tour.

The Queen awards one volunteer from across the Commonwealth each week with a Commonwealth Points of Light award, in recognition of the difference they have made while volunteering in their local community.Ā During the call Her Majesty thanked the volunteers, praising their work.

Her Majesty The Queen said: ā€œThank you all for taking part in this programme. I’m delighted to have heard your stories and I think it’s wonderful work that you’re all doing, and volunteering so much. Thank you very much.ā€

During the call, Her Majesty, Head of the Commonwealth, was introduced to three award winners from Trinidad and Tobago, Mozambique and Cyprus, who spoke of the impact of their initiatives in their local communities and beyond. During The Queen’s first ever virtual musical performance, 45 children performed a piece of music in celebration of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh’s recent 73rd Wedding Anniversary.

The Sistema Cyprus Symphony Orchestra performed a never before heard piece – Modus Cyprius – due to be premiered to the public next week (composed by Cypriot composer Andreas Michalopoulos).Ā 

Nikoletta Polydorou, a music teacher from Cyprus who received her award in August 2020, founded ā€˜Sistema Cyprus’ in 2018. The initiative transforms the lives of children and young people from challenged communities by providing free music education and instruments, and runs its own children’s orchestra and choir. The initiative also collaborates with three Cypriot Universities to provide academic scholarship opportunities, and now has their first student studying music at University.

Sistema Cyprus signs Interinstitutional Agreement of Cooperation with El Sistema.

We are proud to announce the signing of an Interinstitutional Agreement of Cooperation between Sistema Cyprus and El Sistema. José Antonio Abreu founded El Sistema in 1975 to help Venezuelan kids learn to play musical instruments and be part of an orchestra. Because of his vision, programmes have been established around the world, following the principles of El Sistema, engaging millions of children. 

As Sistema Cyprus, we are so honoured to be given the opportunity to learn from the organisation which has brought about a global social music revolution.Ā Ā This collaboration will include actions such as an exchange programme between artistic directors and teaching artists, academic training, workshops and masterclasses.Ā 

During an online meeting, the agreement was signed by Nikoletta Polydorou, Executive Director of Sistema Cyprus, Eduardo Méndez, Executive Director of El Sistema and Eduardo Martuet, Artistic Director of MISO. 

Learn more about the values of El Sistema inĀ thisĀ Ted Price Talk, by Maestro Abreu himself:

LEARN MORE

A Royal award for our Executive Director

On Friday the 21st of August, 2020, the Executive Director and co-founder of Sistema Cyprus, our very own Nikoletta Polydorou was honoured by Her Majesty Queen of the United Kingdom Elizabeth II.Ā 

Her Majesty the Queen, as head of the Commonwealth, has recognized Nikoletta, representing Cyprus, as the 153rd Commonwealth Points of Light recipient in honour of her exceptional voluntary service supporting marginalized children and young people through music education and the work of Sistema Cyprus.Ā 

Thank you to the UK in Cyprus – British High Commission Nicosia for hosting us today for a day we will never forget! So proud!

Photo credits: Leda Ayiomamiti

Read more about the award here:Ā https://www.pointsoflight.gov.uk/sistema-cyprus/

POINT OF LIGHT AWARD Sistema Cyprus Nikoletta Polydorou