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Symphony Appoints Education Director

by David Brensilver | Jan 25, 2012 3:11 pm

(4) Comments | E-mail the Author

NHSO Photo The New Haven Symphony Orchestra has appointed Laura Adam as its new education director, the organization announced on Monday. Adam most recently served in a similar capacity at the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, in Michigan. She succeeds Dan Kinsman, who NHSO Marketing Manager Nicole Gallego said was with the organization for about a year.

A press release issued by the NHSO on Monday indicates that Adam “spent 2008-11 with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra overseeing education programs in area schools and developing a community concert series across southeastern Michigan, serving an annual audience of over 35,000.”

At the NHSO, Adam “will be responsible for the creation, implementation and management of a broad range of educational and community engagement programs,” according to the press release.

During a telephone conversation on Wednesday, Adam said an orchestra’s success is inextricably linked to the connection the organization has with its audience. In part, that means developing informed listeners and educating people, from the “cradle to the grave,” about orchestral music.

Symphonic-music education, Adam said, is “a good way to supplement the goals of a classroom music teacher.”

The NHSO’s educational programming is supported, she said, by the organization’s “staying power” and the fact that “there’s an energy and a passion for what we do that everyone (in the organization) shares.”

An important area of focus, Adam said, is “educating ... the New Haven community about composers we don’t hear about and should.” That includes American and contemporary composers.

Adam said the organization is also committed to involving the area’s public-school students in as many orchestra concerts as possible and aligning the NHSO’s educational programming with state music-education standards.

Gordon Ambach, who chairs the NHSO’s education committee, was quoted in the above-mentioned press release as saying, “(Adam) comes with an excellent background in music education and outstanding leadership experience. We look forward to Laura’s leadership in realizing our objectives for increased student appreciation of their American musical heritage and expanded opportunities to hear and play orchestral music.”

Comments

posted by: no surprise on January 25, 2012 6:15pm

The NHSO does everything except play music.

posted by: AMI on January 26, 2012 4:21pm

Congratulations on the appointment and looking forward to the increased engagement of students of all ages with the NHSO. Not sure what “no surprise” is referring to as the NHSO performs music regularly - 7 classical concerts per season at Woolsey Hall with additional performances throughout the region, 3 pops concerts each in Hamden and Shelton, special Holiday concerts (Messiah and pops) throughout the region and Young People’s Concerts throughout the state. Perhaps what “no surprise” does not know is that arts organizations, music and otherwise, have education and outreach programs and directors.

posted by: Shayla Powell on January 26, 2012 4:29pm

The New Haven Symphony and community are very fortunate to have Ms. Adam on board. She will bring a wealth of opportunities to your students! We miss her in Ann Arbor and are very happy for her continued success.

posted by: Veronica on January 26, 2012 4:56pm

I attended two recent NHSO concerts with my daughter and they were fabulous. One was a holiday celebration with a sing-a-long and the other was classic rock tunes for string quartet. It is terrific that a classical music institution makes an effort to present programs that are fun for families. We plan to go back for the “Hip Hop to Haydn” dance program next month.

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