“How did [Roger Waters] know my name?” asked Courtney Crutcher.
“You’re OrchKids, aren’t you?” replied Dan Trahey, the Director of Artistic Program Development.
OrchKids at the BSO not only teaches Baltimore City kids to play music, but also exposes them to artistic experiences that boost self-esteem and instill a desire to succeed.
Experiences like singing the children’s chorus to “Another Brick in the Wall” in front of 20,000 people at the Verizon Center.
Beginning in 2nd grade, OrchKids’ students get an instrument to take home and call their own. This unlimited access to the instrument improves discipline and builds confidence.
But providing unlimited access is expensive and the program continues to grow. Through GiveCorps, OrchKids is raising funds to provide 5 new instruments for students to call their own.
They may have sang, “We don’t need no education”; but these kids thrive on the learning and experience. One OrchKid, Ashanti, stated, “I want all little kids to be OrchKids”. We can give them that chance, by providing the instruments they need to succeed.
