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The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra NEWS OF NOTE
Dan Trahey , artistic director of OrchKids , speaks to an audience at the Sphinx conference in February .
{ In A dvocacy } OrchKids is a model for Social Change
The best way to create a diverse orchestra , according to Dan Trahey , is to make sure musical opportunities are available to all children at the earliest possible stage . This was the subject of a presentation that Trahey , OrchKids artistic director , made at SphinxConnect , a conference held in Chicago in February .
Organized by the Detroit-based Sphinx organization , a non-profit dedicated to promoting diversity in the arts , the gathering brought together hundreds of leaders in music and education . Trahey described how OrchKids , which he established under BSO Music Director Marin Alsop ’ s leadership , nurtures young musicians from all backgrounds .
Elite musicians must start their training early in life , Trahey points out . “ We ’ ve always left it up to schools or to parents who can pay .” But if public schools are no longer providing music lessons , “ and parents can ’ t afford to ,” he says , programs like OrchKids can fill the gap .
OrchKids isn ’ t only about pre-professional training , Trahey told his audience . While some graduates of the nine-year-old program set their sights on elite music schools , the majority will find success in other areas . “ We ’ re poised to help these kids get into college , community colleges and trade schools as well as conservatories ,” says Trahey . “ Our goal is to create as many opportunities as possible .”
OrchKids and similar programs will eventually change the face of orchestras by adding breadth and depth to the pipeline , Trahey says . “ The more kids you have playing football at age 5 , the better the NFL is going to be . The same goes for musicians .”
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