Those are just some of the composers that I got to listen to when I visited the mall the other day. The Adelphia Arts Academy here in Philly hosts a summer music program for inner-city intermediate and high school students. Here they are on the right. I tried to be discrete when I took the picture from my camera phone.
These kids were superb!! Watching them made me long for playing the violin again. It also made me sad about the state of education in NYC. Cutting arts and music budgets does such a disservice to schools. I know I greatly benefited from being in a band/ chorus. Its just a natural way to gain mental skills and develop camraderies and learn how to work as a team. Plus it keeps kids driven, focused and out of trouble - especially for these kids who don't particularly grow up in the most comfortable neighborhoods. I'm glad I went on a random shopping excursion that day. I truly witnessed something wonderful.
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