#SPOTTED: VIGGO MORTENSEN IN TORONTO FOR “THE PROMISE OF MUSIC: THE FIRST WORLD CONGRESS ON THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF MUSIC”

The Promise of Music: the First World Congress on the Social Impact of Music commenced tonight in Toronto. The Festival celebrates the impact of Music brings together global artists, leaders, educators, scientists, technologists and changemakers in the City, across multiple concerts and venues from October 6 to 10, 2025.

Among the stars in town are acclaimed Actor Viggo Mortensen, three-time Academy Award nominee. Mortensen filled emcee duties at the opening night gala, The Glenn Gould Foundation Presents: The Promise of Music Celebration at gorgeous Aga Khan Museum. Mortsensen himself is a noted composer, having scored some of his films like Falling, and he is a multi-instrumentalist.

Mortensen also will narrate Sistema New Brunswick Children’s Orchestra & Sistema Toronto: Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony, taking place at Koener Hall Wednesday, October 7, 2025.

A clip of Mortensen arriving, as he graciously signed autographs for fans:

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More on the Festival and tickets here: https://promiseofmusic.com/tickets. Acclaimed Composer AR Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire) closes out the Festival this Friday night at the Great Canadian Casino– Toronto with an in-conversation.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#NEWMUSIC: “THE PROMISE OF MUSIC: THE FIRST WORLD CONGRESS ON THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF MUSIC”

Music isn’t just entertainment, it’s one of the most powerful, universal forces shaping human behaviour, health, culture, and community. The Promise of Music: the First World Congress on the Social Impact of Music, will convene in Toronto from October 6 to 10, 2025 bringing together an extraordinary roster of global artists, leaders, educators, scientists, technologists and changemakers. Their shared goal? To examine how music can address some of the most urgent challenges of our time by coming together and bringing the music and ideas to Toronto.

What makes this event newsworthy isn’t just its mission, it’s the unprecedented scale and diversity of participation:

• 19 Concerts
• 560 Performers
• 75 Speakers
• 30 Forums

AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS: AR Rahman, Viggo Mortensen, Bob Ezrin, The Hon Romeo Dallaire, Gabor Maté, Chilly Gonzales, Lil Buck, The Recycled Orchestra of Catuera, Afghan National Institute of Music, Jerusalem Youth Chorus, Firdaus Orchestra, Lara Somos, Mully Children’s Family Choir, OrKidstra (Canada), Sinfonía por el Perú Youth Choir (Perú) Sistema New Brunswick Children’s Orchestra, Sistema Toronto, Social Impact Through Music-Making (SIMM), Sunshine Orchestra PLUS Over 70 Speakers including: Dr. Ahmad Naser Sarmast, Tod Machover, Jamie Bernstein, Matthew Bell, Dr. Lukas Pairon and leading international neurologists, developmental psychologists, music therapists, scientists, economists, community organizations, policy makers, educators, arts advocates, and more.

At a time when mental health crises are on the rise, The Promise of Music highlights evidence-based innovations using music. Part music festival, part conference, this incredible gathering goes far beyond performance – it’s about research, impact, and implementation at scale.

What the public will experience:

• Incredible performances from inspirational and exceptional artists and ensembles
• Access to remarkable talents making their Canadian debuts
• International voices rarely under one roof
• First-of-its-kind research and data on music’s measurable effects on health, learning, and community well-being
• Stories with human urgency and global resonance

THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE AND TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT

www.promiseofmusic.com