The Hammer Band – The Power of Music to Transform Lives

It’s an ideacity tradition to begin the conference with the musical talents of a child prodigy.  For the 14th outing, Moses dreamt big and invited the Hammer Band, 150 children armed with violins, to make music. The band is the brainchild of virtuoso violinist Moshe Hammer, who began teaching the violin to youth in disadvantaged Toronto neighbourhoods in response to the city’s Summer of the Gun of 2005. The Hammer Band’s aim is to help at-risk young people develop “listening skills and self-respect, pride in their accomplishments and sensitivity to others” in a positive environment. In this charming video, marvel at the Hammer Band Wunderkinder playing O Canada, Hot Cross Buns and Ode to Joy, a musical interlude capped by Moshe’s own solo performance.