NOTES 2024: Youth Symphony

Hi friends and family,

It's hard to believe that I've been at EYSO for eight years now. In those eight years, EYSO has had an extraordinary impact on my life.

EYSO AND YOUTH SYMPHONY

I'm lucky to work with lots of different musicians: young musicians, veterans, and those just starting out. And I can tell you, unequivocally, that what these students do at EYSO week after week is rare and wonderful. Joyfully, they meet week after week, working hard, delving deeply into music and art, and growing both as musicians and as people. They are inquisitive, curious, and hard-working, and they inspire me day after day with their wholehearted commitment to what they do--whatever it might be, and whatever we might be studying.

One of the great challenges--and dangers, really--of a life in the performing arts is burnout. It can manifest in lots of different ways: cynicism, complacency, and lack of curiosity. The pull is real.

Week after week, and day after day, these EYSO students reinvigorate me. They challenge me, inspire me, and encourage me to do more, to do it better, and to care more deeply about the art that we create together. Simply put, they care--and it shows. Their performances are absolutely stunning, leaving me continually impressed and amazed at the level of artistry in top-tier professional repertoire, from canonic standards by Shostakovich, Sibelius, Elgar, Respighi, and beyond to less-known gems (Rainbow Body, Tidal Rhythms, and Autochthonous Symphony). They even perform world premieres as recently as this month, such as in a collaboration with Palestinian-American composer Wanees Zarour in his jazz and Middle Eastern fusion Silwan.

THE EYSO NOTES CAMPAIGN

It isn't selling candy. Or poinsettias. Or pizza. Not that candy, poinsettias, and pizza aren't cool...but this is cool exactly because it isn't a sale. In fact, nobody sells anything in a "traditional" fundraising sense all year. This is the one and only fundraiser the students participate in.

Participation is just as important as the dollar amount. That doesn't mean the dollar amount isn't important--the goal is $56,450 this year, which is around 5% of our budget. So yeah, it matters. But the participation is where the real reward is. Because kids learn to support things they care about. And to put their money where their beliefs are. And that speaking up for things makes a difference. Last year, the Youth Symphony had an 83% participation rate...which is right on target with their annual average. And it's not mandatory--just expected.

WHY WE DO IT

Teaching kids about our society matters. At the end of our campaign kick-off meetings in which students learn about NOTES, I shared this with the students: although for them, asking adults for money (not in exchange for goods) feels weird, it's just something that all adults are used to. We get these asks regularly, and frankly, if it comes from a kid, it makes us think "wow, this really must be important--and I'm so glad to see a young person engaged and caring!" That's why participation matters as much as dollar amount. Because although not everyone has wealthy relatives, everyone can put their time and money where they care.

Paying back into society matters. And not every kid gets to see that in action at a young age--and that, really, is why I think this campaign, and this organization matters. Because kids learn about music at the highest level...and they also learn how to think, how to approach life, and how to be empathetic people. We need that.

WHY IT MATTERS

Moment of honesty: if you've taken the time to read this, you probably know why this matters already. The most convincing, powerful argument that I can imagine comes straight from the students--but not just their playing and artistry (which is truly stupendous), but from what they wrote. I hope you'll take a moment to read some of the student testimonials in their own NOTES fundraisers pages that you can access via this site. (Seriously. It's incredible.) It guarantee you'll leave with a sense of optimism and hope for the future, seeing what these amazing teenagers are saying.

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT THE EYSO

Any dollar amount helps offset the cost of tuition and programming for these students. Our campaign ends May 4^th.

Will you donate to EYSO?

With gratitude,

Matt