The Score | Instrumental Connections

One unfortunate side effect of school closures during the pandemic was a decrease in enrollment in school music programs. This spring, five Connecticut orchestras created “Pick Your Instrument CT,” a free music-education initiative to increase enrollment in school music programs. The Eastern Connecticut Symphony, Hartford Symphony Orchestra, New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Stamford Symphony Orchestra, and Waterbury Symphony Orchestra added free recorded, live, and online programs to encourage students to join their school’s instrumental ensembles. Designed for students and teachers, the site includes videos by orchestra musicians about each instrument; webinars and live, virtual open houses to learn about instruments; an instrument selection toolkit in English and Spanish; and “For Kids by Kids,” an online portal where students can submit their own videos about music. New Haven Symphony Orchestra Education Director Caitlin Daly-Gonzales said, “As schools went virtual last spring, many students lost connection to their school’s music departments…. Teachers couldn’t use their normal recruiting methods like in-person instrument demonstrations and open houses for parents and students. This felt like a problem that orchestras could help solve and it was wonderful to see orchestras across Connecticut orchestras quickly jump into action.”