Orchestra Outreach

Article Summaries

Arts Consultant Mitchell Korn

As the head of the organization Artsvision , Mitchell Korn describes his approach to counseling an orchestra to manage its education activities in an article in Harmony  magazine called " Orchestras That Educate .”  One major point he makes is that each orchestra and each community will have its own unique circumstances.  He is very careful to assess the needs of the community in the planning stages in order to provide services that are truly beneficial to the targeted population.  He emphasizes an approach to projects that includes developmentally appropriate learning experiences, sensitivity to the culture and concerns of the target audience, and making a meaningful connection within schools to assist classroom teachers in incorporating arts experiences in classroom learning.  

    He lists three primary parts of an effective program.  My understanding is that he is primarily referring to outreach in a school setting.  First, the instruction should lead to participants developing some tangible skills.  For an example, students could learn to play an instrument or read musical notation.  Secondly, the program should expose students to aesthetic values of various cultures.  There should be some experience of and discussion of great works of art from different traditions.  Third, he writes that the arts learning should be integrated in some way into learning in other disciplines.  There should be some connection or context to the arts exposure that fits within the students’ other educational experience.  

    Korn mentions a few other central thoughts.  Musicians and conductors are a primary resource for an orchestra’s education programs.  He recommends including them at all stages of planning and implementation.  Outside of the orchestra, he finds that partnerships of various kinds can serve to strengthen the educational experiences and community awareness of projects.  Also, funders are more likely to look closely at cooperative ventures.  

Another essential consideration is the importance of assessment.  While it is important to document effective results of programs, it is equally important to evaluate the projects in which the orchestra invests its energies.  In order to build and maintain the most efficient and valuable efforts, the organization must establish a clear set of goals and be constantly vigilant to stay focused on its stated mission.