“A new report from the League of American Orchestras indicates an impressive amount of growth in education and community engagement work on the part of America’s orchestras in the last five years,” writes Susan Elliott in Wednesday’s (8/16) MusicalAmerica.com (subscription required). “The report, Of and For the Community, is based on a survey of 98 U.S. orchestras of varying budget sizes and focuses on the period between 2009-2014. The previous report of similar substance was issued in 2008. The time span studied showed an increase in budget and staff resources devoted to education and community engagement efforts; two-thirds of respondents offered free programming, and 85 percent of that programming took place outside of the concert hall. There were also marked increases in the number of individuals served, their racial and ethnic diversity, the number of concerts produced for them, and the types of activities offered. Also noteworthy: 38 percent [of the] participants were believed to be African American, Hispanic/Latin, Asian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaskan Native; 62 percent were believed to be white.” Download the complete Of and For the Community report free of charge here.
Posted August 17, 2017
Pictured: Young musicians in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s OrchKids program. Photo by Richard Lippenholz
