Longy’s Side-by-Side Program

This yearlong initiative pairs Longy graduate students with children from local schools and El Sistema-inspired programs across Massachusetts.

During intensive rehearsals, children ages 6–18 literally sit side-by-side with their Longy mentors, sharing a music stand as they work together to create extraordinary orchestral performances.

For musicians enrolled in our Master of Music in Music Education program, the Side-by-Side orchestra offers access to a real-world lab where they can practice and refine their teaching skills. They gain firsthand experience with culturally responsive engagement and resource-based learning. Many of our graduates are hired right out of school as faculty in El Sistema-inspired programs and K–12 schools.

Children in the Side-by-Side program receive top-quality orchestral training led by internationally recognized faculty, combined with private and small-group instruction from Longy musicians.

These young musicians have performed in exceptional venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall with famous artists including:

• Gustavo Dudamel, Music Director of the LA Phil;

• Vijay Gupta, MacArthur Fellow, social justice activist, and Executive and Artistic Director of Street Symphony;

• Thomas Wilkins, Germeshausen Youth and Family Concerts Conductor and Artistic and Education Community Advisor at the BSO;

• and José Antonio Abreu, the founder of El Sistema.

Featured Students and Alumni

• Roy Lewis, MM Jazz and Contemporary Music, Trumpet The Cambridge Homes Certified Music Practitioner Scholar

• Gabrielle Molina, MAT

• Job Salazar Fonseca, GPD Historical Performance, Baroque Violin

Lindsay and Garth Greimann Scholar and The Cambridge Homes Certified Music Practitioner Scholar

• Janet Lagah-Bona, MM Composition, Piano

Alabama State University Equity Scholar

• Arson Fahim, UD Composition

Lindsay and Garth Greimann Equity Scholar

• DeShaun Gordon-King, GPD, Flute

Emily Fisher Equity Scholar and Loring and Louise Conant Certified Music Practitioner Scholar

• Ivan Shiu, MM/ME, Voice Margot Kittredge Memorial Scholar

Photo Credits

• Cover © Robert Torres

• p. 1 © Robert Torres

• p. 2 top to bottom: © Longy archives, Luke Zvara, iStockPhotos

• p. 8 © Yazi Ferrufino

• p. 13 © Adriana Arguijo Gutierrez

• p. 14 left to right, top to bottom: © Robert Torres, Robert Torres, Longy Archives, Yazi Ferrufino, Robert Torres, Longy Archives

• p. 19 © Adriana Arguijo Gutierrez

• p. 20 top to bottom © Adobe Stock, iStockPhotos

• p. 25 © Adriana Arguijo Gutierrez

• p. 26 © iStockPhotos

• p. 33 © Adriana Arguijo Gutierrez

• p. 34 © Longy Archives