G R O W I N G ORCHKIDS
BSO ’ s Flagship Education Program Marks Ten Years of Possibility , Promise and Performance by Devon Maloney
When Marin Alsop was appointed Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in 2007 , she knew that giving back to the community would be a key aspect of her tenure . Believing firmly in the value of education and the possibilities of providing opportunities for children , Alsop launched the OrchKids program in 2008 and hasn ’ t looked back since .
“
I believe passionately that music has the power to change lives , and the BSO should lead the movement ,” says Alsop . “ By providing a strong foundation and developing the whole individual , we can position these students for lifelong success — success not limited to music , but in all areas of their lives .”
Over the course of a decade , OrchKids has grown tremendously . What began as a mission to use music as a means to enable children to take charge of their future has expanded into a program that serves over 1,200 students in Baltimore City from pre-K through 11 th grade . Through its partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools , OrchKids has branched out from its main hub site at Lockerman Bundy Elementary School in West Baltimore to serve students in a number of locations : Highlandtown Elementary / Middle School # 215 ( OrchKids ’ main hub in East Baltimore ), Patterson Park Public Charter
School , Mary-Ann Winterling Elementary School , Booker T . Washington Middle School for the Arts and Lillie May Carroll Jackson Charter School . New to the program this year is an in-school violin class at The SEED School of Maryland as well as OrchKids workshops at New Song Academy and Margaret Brent Elementary School .
“ Since joining the program a little over a year ago , the OrchKids team and I have been working hard to expand our reach in the community and serve more students ,” notes OrchKids Executive Director Raquel Whiting Gilmer . “ We look forward to growing our partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools in the years ahead and bringing this music for social change program to even more schools and neighborhoods across our city .”
Once enrolled in OrchKids , students receive music education , instruments , academic instruction , healthy meals and performance opportunities , all at no cost to families . Beyond its school-year
OrchKids students perform at the 2017 BSO Gala concert with guest artist Wynton Marsalis .