Lovely story - thanks for pursuing it and showing us a glimmer of hope in this ugly frightening time! On a smaller scale, the installation of Thomas Dambo’s trolls around Rhode Island has created an opportunity for ‘troll hunters’ to collaborate in locating them and share the incredible beauty of his use of natural materials and nature in general!
I live in Louisville Metro and I was shocked and pleasantly surprised by this spotlight on Teddy! He's a treasure and I am so glad he's stayed in Louisville this long and I am glad he's still so passionate about his mission..
This is great! Anyone interested in projects that can bring people together should be aware of Niall Harbison's project in Thailand. He's working to sterilize street dogs there and he plans to expand it to the world. One thing that brings people together (besides music) is love of animals. The Thailand project has sterilized 58K dogs so far this year, and it's only their 4th year: https://www.happydoggo.com/our-work Niall is always looking for partners.
Reading this commentary about Teddy Abrams (former assistant conductor of the Detroit Symphony under Leonard Slatkin, (my hometown band) and remembering the wonderful things he did there. He was with the DSO as they began work to become the world's most accessible orchestra. Serving as conductor of the William Davidson Neighborhood Concerts, which are still running, and was involved in programming them. I think of the conductors Mr. Abrams had as mentors—MTT and Slatkin—who embraced community music. Conducting the World Youth Symphony at Interlochen and observing orchestras such as Buffalo and their Music Director, JoAnn Falletta, who has a tremendous community program. Dudamel and YOLA. Alsop and her work in Baltimore. There are other programs too, not named. Kudos to the state of Kentucky for doing a good thing. Tremendous praise to Teddy for taking all he's learned and running with it, creating something new. Thank you, Steven, for this post.
It does indeed Steven. JoAnn Falletta is a maestra who has done so much for community music in Buffalo. If you look at the Discography for Marin Alsop and the Baltimore, local soloists and choirs for the choral works they performed. Alsop has an institute for female conductors also. But what they did for their communities and youth music. Phenomenal.
They shredded the old model for how a symphony should be accessible and that not everyone can afford a box seat at Orchestra Hall. I’ll be in Detroit this winter and can’t wait to go to OH and listen live. Until then, I happlily listen to the stream.
I have a refrigerator full of magnets--quite a talking point for my friends. All sophisticated snoots, stay out of my wonderful working kitchen from 1941! The magnet states "music is the international language." My joy is the excitement of experience that brings those of all ages together. I also believe the richness of living where you are developing. Our neighbors enjoy our help and encouragement.
The Louisville Orchestra isn’t the only place for great music. As a lover of all genres of music, watching the Louisville Leopard Percussionists perform Led Zeppelin always makes me smile.
This is a most welcome endearing story with Hope flowing gently throughout.
I’ve read it twice already; my first reading of the early morning.
It touched me deeply in more ways than time here permits, but I need to share my mother was adopted by my Baptist grandfather and Shaker grandmother (from Kentucky and Tennessee)
My grandfather’s favorite music was by Aaron Copeland and he requested Appalachian Spring for his funeral,
and
it was the music performed just before my 12 year old daughter played a movement of a Shostakovich piano concerto with the then Denver Orchestra, Children’s concert.
And
I have my Shaker grandmothers hand made table with an intricate scalloped top in my living room!!!!!
So, Steven, perhaps you envision how much this story touched me and transported me away from The Whirlwind.
Just in case here it is “Appalachian Spring” and with my new ear pods it plays directly to my gratefulness for you writing this.
It’s as a rare treat to see this program highlighted. I fully agree with the person who said that going to areas with the Teddy attitude shows people they are valued. (A sign of respect.)
I noticed events this summer in Louisville highlighting the culture of Eastern Ky. In some ways bizarre to think of cultural exchanges between regions of a state but that’s what it is. (I would be remiss not to note there are statewide arts and cultural organizations. This is different.)
As a Kentuckian living at the edge of Louisville, the first thing that comes to mind about Senator Stivers is not typically appreciation or unity. Louisville Metro is usually on the menu for legislative harassment. Knowing it is not financially feasible for all 120 counties to have orchestras & a personal connection to music through his mother may have made the difference.
This is a great story and so well written!! My first read of the day and this encourages me that music can be the connector between people of opposing political views. Abrams is a person to admire and I hope he can inspire others to do similar work. Thanks so much for this Mr. Beschloss.
Enjoyed the clips. Abrams has really fine-tuned the orchestra. So nice to see a young man like him coming up through the ranks. Thank you for this article.
Thank you for this. It was like a soothing balm during a very trying time. Will share with many musician friends who will totally understand and agree with this message. Please continue to share your challenging and, most times, hopeful messages.
Lovely story - thanks for pursuing it and showing us a glimmer of hope in this ugly frightening time! On a smaller scale, the installation of Thomas Dambo’s trolls around Rhode Island has created an opportunity for ‘troll hunters’ to collaborate in locating them and share the incredible beauty of his use of natural materials and nature in general!
I live in Louisville Metro and I was shocked and pleasantly surprised by this spotlight on Teddy! He's a treasure and I am so glad he's stayed in Louisville this long and I am glad he's still so passionate about his mission..
This is great! Anyone interested in projects that can bring people together should be aware of Niall Harbison's project in Thailand. He's working to sterilize street dogs there and he plans to expand it to the world. One thing that brings people together (besides music) is love of animals. The Thailand project has sterilized 58K dogs so far this year, and it's only their 4th year: https://www.happydoggo.com/our-work Niall is always looking for partners.
Reading this commentary about Teddy Abrams (former assistant conductor of the Detroit Symphony under Leonard Slatkin, (my hometown band) and remembering the wonderful things he did there. He was with the DSO as they began work to become the world's most accessible orchestra. Serving as conductor of the William Davidson Neighborhood Concerts, which are still running, and was involved in programming them. I think of the conductors Mr. Abrams had as mentors—MTT and Slatkin—who embraced community music. Conducting the World Youth Symphony at Interlochen and observing orchestras such as Buffalo and their Music Director, JoAnn Falletta, who has a tremendous community program. Dudamel and YOLA. Alsop and her work in Baltimore. There are other programs too, not named. Kudos to the state of Kentucky for doing a good thing. Tremendous praise to Teddy for taking all he's learned and running with it, creating something new. Thank you, Steven, for this post.
Thanks for your insights, Jodi. The one I'm particularly aware of is the work of Gustav Dudamel. All of this matters.
It does indeed Steven. JoAnn Falletta is a maestra who has done so much for community music in Buffalo. If you look at the Discography for Marin Alsop and the Baltimore, local soloists and choirs for the choral works they performed. Alsop has an institute for female conductors also. But what they did for their communities and youth music. Phenomenal.
I'm from Farmington and have been to the DSO several times and I really like how they are branching out into communities.
They shredded the old model for how a symphony should be accessible and that not everyone can afford a box seat at Orchestra Hall. I’ll be in Detroit this winter and can’t wait to go to OH and listen live. Until then, I happlily listen to the stream.
I have a refrigerator full of magnets--quite a talking point for my friends. All sophisticated snoots, stay out of my wonderful working kitchen from 1941! The magnet states "music is the international language." My joy is the excitement of experience that brings those of all ages together. I also believe the richness of living where you are developing. Our neighbors enjoy our help and encouragement.
The Louisville Orchestra isn’t the only place for great music. As a lover of all genres of music, watching the Louisville Leopard Percussionists perform Led Zeppelin always makes me smile.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JYuOZnAqQCY
This is a most welcome endearing story with Hope flowing gently throughout.
I’ve read it twice already; my first reading of the early morning.
It touched me deeply in more ways than time here permits, but I need to share my mother was adopted by my Baptist grandfather and Shaker grandmother (from Kentucky and Tennessee)
My grandfather’s favorite music was by Aaron Copeland and he requested Appalachian Spring for his funeral,
and
it was the music performed just before my 12 year old daughter played a movement of a Shostakovich piano concerto with the then Denver Orchestra, Children’s concert.
And
I have my Shaker grandmothers hand made table with an intricate scalloped top in my living room!!!!!
So, Steven, perhaps you envision how much this story touched me and transported me away from The Whirlwind.
Just in case here it is “Appalachian Spring” and with my new ear pods it plays directly to my gratefulness for you writing this.
Thank you so much
🎶
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXV8yO1FucA
So nice to hear. Thank you, Alexia.
It’s as a rare treat to see this program highlighted. I fully agree with the person who said that going to areas with the Teddy attitude shows people they are valued. (A sign of respect.)
I noticed events this summer in Louisville highlighting the culture of Eastern Ky. In some ways bizarre to think of cultural exchanges between regions of a state but that’s what it is. (I would be remiss not to note there are statewide arts and cultural organizations. This is different.)
As a Kentuckian living at the edge of Louisville, the first thing that comes to mind about Senator Stivers is not typically appreciation or unity. Louisville Metro is usually on the menu for legislative harassment. Knowing it is not financially feasible for all 120 counties to have orchestras & a personal connection to music through his mother may have made the difference.
This is a great story and so well written!! My first read of the day and this encourages me that music can be the connector between people of opposing political views. Abrams is a person to admire and I hope he can inspire others to do similar work. Thanks so much for this Mr. Beschloss.
Thank you, Bruce.
I love music. I love the idea and this reality that it truly can bring people together to find common ground.
Enjoyed the clips. Abrams has really fine-tuned the orchestra. So nice to see a young man like him coming up through the ranks. Thank you for this article.
Thank you for this. It was like a soothing balm during a very trying time. Will share with many musician friends who will totally understand and agree with this message. Please continue to share your challenging and, most times, hopeful messages.
Thank you, Marc.
What a beautiful venue in eastern Kentucky for the orchestra!
Music is the language of the heart, the purest form of prayer.
Thank you for this wonderful essay, Steven, one that marries your knowledge as a historian with your ability as a journalist.
Bravo!
Beautiful.