M E SSAGE FR O M T H E E X E C UT I V E DI R E C T O R Wow. What a truly dramatic year at Inside the Orchestra. We welcomed thousands of little ones (and their adults) inside the orchestra – in a wider variety of ways than ever before. Through most of the season, school programs were flourishing, public concerts were running smoothly, and we were debuting our most elaborate Tiny Tots concert series ever – one that took over two years of planning to bring to life. Tiny Tots: Music of the World. You’ll see that program highlighted in a few pages. Then, of course, March arrived – and Inside the Orchestra was facing a dilemma unlike any in the organization’s history. Suddenly limitations on public gatherings meant taking the kids to the orchestra — and the orchestra to the kids — was impossible. Sadly, the pandemic has pushed many of our fellow performing arts organizations to go dark during this time. We’ve chosen to do the opposite. You can learn more about the “Outside the Orchestra” initiative in a few pages as well. The impact of our virtual programming has been felt around the globe. In fact, we’ve heard from kids and adults all over the United States, in Australia, in France, and in dozens of other countries. The pandemic has stopped our in-person concerts, for the time being, but it’s also allowed our reach to go much further in new and unexpected ways. While the circumstances have changed, our mission has not, and we will make sure we are bringing music to kids wherever they are, because – music education matters, now more than ever. And we will continue to figure out how to make music with and for kids, no matter what. While the circumstances have changed, our mission. We will make sure we are bringing music to kids wherever they are because music education matters, now more than ever. And we will continue to figure out how to make music with and for kids, no matter what. Musically,
Shelby Mattingly Executive Director 6
