Many conversations about youth engagement in orchestras center on the need to pull in young people to secure the survival of the orchestra. But in reality, we must ask ourselves: what can an orchestra do for young people? The purpose of an orchestra is to share, create, and uplift through our instruments, establishing and preserving …
What a wonderful opportunity to learn from each other. In this guide, you will find a wide spectrum of programming, ways of interacting authentically with youth, and words of hope and gratitude from young people who are finding ways to express themselves freely and find belonging in safe and creative spaces. The concert hall is …
As orchestras work toward greater equity, diversity, and inclusion, can any group be more important to the future of the art form than youth? Each successive generation of Americans is more diverse in terms of race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and each is increasingly concerned for equity in the workplace. To engage …
In this section: Empowering Youth by Fostering Growth and Inclusion Youth, professional, and community orchestras all have the ability to foster young people’s growth as artists and leaders, in ways that promote ownership of the artform and an authentic sense of belonging. By building trust, respect, and collaboration through music, orchestras help create inclusive communities …
There are three key reasons why youth engagement is central to the future of orchestras.
In this section: Fostering Inclusion, Student-Centered Teaching, and Teaching Artists
In this section: Empowering Youth Voices, Creative Youth Development, and Youth Councils
Programs that center youth creativity and build youth agency can help students cope in healthy ways and flourish despite their challenges.
In this section: Creating Pathways to Conservatory and Leadership Training
Gaining the trust of local young people, learning about their needs, and responding to their interests with relevant programmatic offerings is work that is often best achieved in partnership with schools and other youth-serving organizations.