Stamford Symphony is launching Play, Sing, Listen! The Education Fund of Stamford Symphony, a new initiative focusing on education and youth engagement across Fairfield County.
The program is meant to ensure that all youth in local communities have access to high-quality music education opportunities encouraging them to explore, appreciate, perform, and create music. At the same time the program should nurture important life skills, including creativity, listening, problem-solving, and self-esteem.
— an announcement from Stamford Symphony
One of the program’s goals within the next five years is to “have at least one educational program (instrument bootcamps, chamber performances, masterclasses, etc.) in every town across Fairfield County.” Stamford Symphony is continuing to raise money for the project.
Photo from the Stamford Symphony website
“Through Play, Sing, Listen!, we strive to be a valuable resource for in-school music education and for students and teachers in Stamford and across Fairfield County.”
“It is our goal that every child in Fairfield County has opportunity and access to engage with music on any level,” said Nicolas Gonzalez, community engagement and education manager at Stamford Symphony.
“Play, Sing, Listen! will allow us to be recognized as an integral and important resource to music education and the larger community. Whether you are a music teacher, library, or multicultural organization, we want to share the transformative power of music with you.”
Goals for Five Years
Stamford Symphony has several ambitious objectives for Play, Sing, Listen! over the next five years.
One objective is to strengthen the Symphony’s partnership with Stamford Public Schools through new and engaging programs; expand existing partnerships with local community programs and launch new activities in collaboration with these organizations.
Lastly, the Symphony plans to build programs for engaging youth in orchestral performance, including pre-concert activities at the Palace Theatre and family concerts.
“Engaging kids in music has exponential benefits. From creativity to problem-solving and listening, these life skills set them up for success in the future and I am eager to make it more accessible to them,” said Nicolas Gonzalez, community engagement and education manager at Stamford Symphony.
“Through Play, Sing, Listen!, we strive to be a valuable resource for in-school music education and for students and teachers in Stamford and across Fairfield County.”
Play, Sing, Listen! is built around several categories of programming, including both existing and new programs and initiatives. Every category has strategic goals for expanding programming, deepening engagement, and increasing reach to many young people.
These programming categories include “Link Up” (a program partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute), increasing programming in Stamford Public Schools and Fairfield County, community music organizations and programs, and finally, new family-friendly events and partnerships.
You can find out more about the program’s five-year goals here.
Partnerships
A key element to the Play, Sing Listen! program are the community and educational partners that the Symphony has developed.
Stamford Symphony is proud to partner with Project Music, Young Artists Philharmonic, Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras, Stamford Public Schools, Stamford Museum and Nature Center, New Canaan Public Schools, New Canaan Public Library, Carriage Barn Arts Center and Westport Public Library and more.
Getting for Financial Support
Stamford Symphony has set a high bar with the goal of raising $1,000,000 toward its annual operating budget over the next five years.
During Stamford Symphony’s Annual Gala in October 2021, supporters and patrons were given a preview of Play, Sing, Listen! and have since begun to garner support from its sponsors and foundations. Major support for the Stamford Symphony’s education programs is provided by Evalyn E. and Stephen E. Milman.
The Symphony also recognizes The Jeniam Foundation for its generous support provided by their gift through the Crescendo Fund. Additional support has also been provided by Louis J. Casale, Jr. Charitable Foundation Inc., Garden Homes Fund, Stamford Rotary Trust Fund, Uncle Larry’s Fund, Lorna Jorgenson Wendt Foundation.
You can keep the music playing and donate now to the Play, Sing, Listen! initiative through this link.