Dear Friends,
Part of the great joy I have in my life is working with The Little Orchestra Society and sharing the gift of music with generations of families. Recently, I have spent time thinking about our place in a quickly-changing cultural environment. It is easy for me to wonder about how impactful our work is, when it can seem small on the world’s stage and in the current state of affairs. All around us, there are major challenges that people and families face, and serious consequences that we endure. It helps me to focus when I remember what my college mentor told her students (all aspiring school teachers) about music, in any place and at any time: “Sometimes things that can seem small are actually greater than we can imagine.” This moment inspired my personal philosophy about the importance of education and access, especially for a child’s development and for those who lack opportunity early in life. It helps me remember exactly why it is so important, what we do here at L.O.S. Here are several examples that continue to motivate me, about how we make positive change for people in our communities:
I have the privilege of being with young people during some of their most joyous moments. As I’m sure you have seen at L.O.S. KIDS, I get to be there when your granddaughter lights up at seeing our concertmaster handle her violin; or when your son declares that the piano is the coolest instrument ever built. I get to see the laughs on your kids’ faces when Professor Treblemaker pulls out a new costume, and I also get to see the laughs on parents’ faces when Mozart is “late” to the concert because he couldn’t find change for the parking meter… Audiences come away feeling closer to music than ever before. These moments in the concert hall, however small, can spark a lifelong love of music and the arts.
For others, our concerts are one step on the path of an amazing career. I get to see young soloists and emerging composers from diverse backgrounds share their work in a professional environment—often for the very first time—performing with our Orchestra or having their pieces premiered. We take immense pride in being a part of their journey, and we take incredible care in order to make this a meaningful part of their occupational trajectory. I never forget how inspiring it is for children in the audience, to see people who look like them on stage, and to realize what they can achieve with hard work and dedication!
Among the most consequential and inspiring parts of our work happens in under-resourced communities across NYC; I get to be there at our public partner schools when students are enjoying their first-ever music classes. Participants as young as 5 years old in Musical Connections learn to compose their own new music, in their own classrooms! Students collaborate with their peers and use music as a language to express their ideas and feelings. They also attend our concerts to be inspired by famous composers, both past and present. At the end of each year, professional educators and instrumentalists visit each school to workshop and perform the students’ original work.
Because of Musical Connections, I get to see the change in behavior when a young child discovers that though they may struggle in math or spelling, they excel in improvising rhythms and creating melodies. I can’t express how transformative it is to be with a class of students having their composition taken seriously and brought to life by professional musicians; they feel incredible ownership in and identify with their work. They sit up with a sense of pride, and they are seen, and they are heard!
This is the process by which small things become bigger than we had imagined, through programs like we offer at The Little Orchestra Society. Nearly every day, I hear how important and how cherished our work is, and I get to be a part of this because of supporters like you. You make it possible for under-served communities to participate, regardless of financial resources. You inspire children with the possibility of music. Will you make a gift this season to bring more music to more young people across our great City? We are “An Orchestra For All New Yorkers,” and we hope you will help us keep it that way.
We are sending our very best to you and your family this season, for safe and peaceful holiday celebrations together, and a very happy New Year! Thank you.
Sincerely,
Anthony Ball, Executive Director
the Board, the Staff, and all of us at The Little Orchestra Society
