Why orchestra is important

One way for an orchestra to exclude wide cross sections of a community is to only serve up music that is appreciated by a small portion of its population. Another way to be exclusive is to charge prices that exclude many people from being able to afford to attend. While orchestras most deservedly have a right to charge admission, they should also be out to connect to the entire community instead of only those who can afford the price of admission.

An inclusive orchestra finds ways to empower every member of the community with an affordable or free opportunity to hear live orchestral music. This can be done through free concerts, school programs, and diverse venues using the full orchestra, small ensembles and offering its musicians as music instructors and teachers. Musically, the relevance of orchestral music is not only found in the music of the past but in current music.

The majority of symphonic music being produced today, for example, is found in the highly popular music scores of the film industry. The popularity of film music underscores the ability of orchestral music to connect to a wide cross section of people in spite of often large social, economic, gender and age differences. Well rounded orchestral programs serve their audiences by presenting music from a diverse background.

An orchestra that is connecting with its community is reaching out through the music it performs, instead of excluding people because of the music it performs. The Bedford Community Orchestra is unique in that a smaller community the size of Bedford County typically does not have its own orchestra. Without an orchestra, children are raised lacking many of the advantageous music education opportunities that other children receive in more far-sighted school districts.

Without its own orchestra, live orchestral music is only heard by residents willing to travel to larger cities. They learn that by playing their part, they can add to the greater goal of making fine music. This builds a strong skill set that they can use going forward in their education and beyond, into their future work and family interactions. Joining an orchestra gives a child the responsibility of taking care of their instrument … and orchestral instruments are among the most fragile.

A child learns from the start to treat their instrument with respect, not just to prevent damage but to keep it clean and in good playing condition. It also teaches children the responsibility of learning and overcoming difficult tasks as their progress advances from beginner to skilled player.

The commitment to practicing and improving can translate into their other school studies as well as helping them to cope with future life challenges. Learning to read music and making an instrument do what your child wants it to do and sound the way they want it to sound! Studies indicate that this tends to give kids who participate in orchestra programs higher success in other learning areas like math and reading.

It also offers them the ability to increase their creativity, which opens other opportunities over the course of a lifetime — whether it be in the arts, sciences or business world. Adults who participate in musical activities as a child often reap a lifetime of benefits as they get older.

You may have never even considered joining a school orchestra. Although most schools have active band programs, you may not know if your school even offers string instrument training. However, if you do have the option of joining a group of orchestral musicians , you've got an incredible opportunity to develop a number of marketable skills and social benefits.

Advantages in fact, which generate both immediate, and lifelong achievements. This list examines 12 reasons why you should definitely give the school orchestra a try. Find out if you have access to a school orchestra, and if not, search for a local youth orchestra to join.

You won't regret it. A Connolly Music Publication. Published by StringOvation Team on October 21, Learning to play a string instrument greatly increases your math comprehension, and spatial and pattern recognition. These skills are important for a number of professions. And because music is essentially and fundamentally mathematical, as you learn to play, you enhance the area in your brain that make these type of calculations.

Who knew that learning to play " Happy " could make you better at math? Music training develops language and problem-solving skills. Both of these cognitive functions impact the way you are able to comprehend what you're learning in school, but they also offer valuable people skills. Increase your coordination. Learning to play an instrument like the violin increases your physical coordination. You must learn to control both of your hands, which constantly develops your motor skills.