Dear Friends,
The first time I set eyes on musiConnects in action, I knew it was an organization like no other. I was attending a performance in Mattapan by musiConnects students and Resident Musicians, in celebration of Black History month. The woman sitting beside me beamed at her grandson, who was so focused on playing “Deep River” as one with the ensemble, that he didn’t notice. She told me afterwards that she had never before heard a live string instrument or chamber music concert. It was my first glimpse of how chamber music can be a powerful vehicle of social change, providing greater access and opportunity, as well as building community.
Not long after, I joined musiConnects as its first full-time Managing Director, and my understanding of what makes it one-of-a-kind on the Boston landscape only deepened. Betsy Hinkle and all of the Resident Musicians are extraordinarily dedicated teachers, who give a rich musical education to children who would not otherwise have it. Going far beyond the music, they are mentors who are gifted in using chamber music to help children become empathetic leaders who work together across differences. Resident Musicians’ compassionate work not only fosters in their students a lifelong love of music, it helps them to develop positive forms of self-expression and to see bigger possibilities for themselves.
On the belief that all people should be able to experience live, high caliber concerts, musiConnects’ Resident Musicians also perform magnificent free, public chamber music concerts in diverse neighborhoods of Boston, including those which are off the usual classical music beaten path and those in which musiConnects students live. In doing so, they exemplify working artists in residence in the community.
This is not lost on musiConnects students. Walking behind two pre-adolescent boys on their way to their lessons one day, I overheard one of them say to the other, “I’m NOT a vioLINist! I’m a viOlist!” Beyond his slight irritation that his friend could even for a moment mistake him for a violinist, his tone of voice expressed his fierce pride in his identity as a musician.
Playing a supporting role in musiConnects’ on-the-ground, day-to-day educational and performance programs has been some of the most rewarding work I have ever done. But my work behind the scenes -- putting organizational systems in place, strengthening infrastructure and participating in a long-range planning process with an outside consultant -- all of this has also been tremendously meaningful to me, because it is in service of sustaining this extraordinary organization which Betsy founded nine years ago, for many years to come.
Even as I prepare to move on to my next pursuit, Betsy, the board and I will be working together in the coming months to hire an outstanding Executive Director. We are confident not only that the transition will be smooth, but also that musiConnects will continue to soar on its exciting trajectory, building on the great strides of the past year, and planning for growth in the next season. In the meantime, I am engaged with all my heart, and with sleeves rolled up, shoulder-to-shoulder with Betsy, on the vibrant season underway, which includes two new pilot educational programs and more than 12 performances still to come.
I hope to see you at one of them very soon!
Warmest wishes,
Jill
The first time I set eyes on musiConnects in action, I knew it was an organization like no other. I was attending a performance in Mattapan by musiConnects students and Resident Musicians, in celebration of Black History month. The woman sitting beside me beamed at her grandson, who was so focused on playing “Deep River” as one with the ensemble, that he didn’t notice. She told me afterwards that she had never before heard a live string instrument or chamber music concert. It was my first glimpse of how chamber music can be a powerful vehicle of social change, providing greater access and opportunity, as well as building community.
Not long after, I joined musiConnects as its first full-time Managing Director, and my understanding of what makes it one-of-a-kind on the Boston landscape only deepened. Betsy Hinkle and all of the Resident Musicians are extraordinarily dedicated teachers, who give a rich musical education to children who would not otherwise have it. Going far beyond the music, they are mentors who are gifted in using chamber music to help children become empathetic leaders who work together across differences. Resident Musicians’ compassionate work not only fosters in their students a lifelong love of music, it helps them to develop positive forms of self-expression and to see bigger possibilities for themselves.
On the belief that all people should be able to experience live, high caliber concerts, musiConnects’ Resident Musicians also perform magnificent free, public chamber music concerts in diverse neighborhoods of Boston, including those which are off the usual classical music beaten path and those in which musiConnects students live. In doing so, they exemplify working artists in residence in the community.
This is not lost on musiConnects students. Walking behind two pre-adolescent boys on their way to their lessons one day, I overheard one of them say to the other, “I’m NOT a vioLINist! I’m a viOlist!” Beyond his slight irritation that his friend could even for a moment mistake him for a violinist, his tone of voice expressed his fierce pride in his identity as a musician.
Playing a supporting role in musiConnects’ on-the-ground, day-to-day educational and performance programs has been some of the most rewarding work I have ever done. But my work behind the scenes -- putting organizational systems in place, strengthening infrastructure and participating in a long-range planning process with an outside consultant -- all of this has also been tremendously meaningful to me, because it is in service of sustaining this extraordinary organization which Betsy founded nine years ago, for many years to come.
Even as I prepare to move on to my next pursuit, Betsy, the board and I will be working together in the coming months to hire an outstanding Executive Director. We are confident not only that the transition will be smooth, but also that musiConnects will continue to soar on its exciting trajectory, building on the great strides of the past year, and planning for growth in the next season. In the meantime, I am engaged with all my heart, and with sleeves rolled up, shoulder-to-shoulder with Betsy, on the vibrant season underway, which includes two new pilot educational programs and more than 12 performances still to come.
I hope to see you at one of them very soon!
Warmest wishes,
Jill