Friends of NWS Diversity Campaign

Friends of New World Symphony wants to raise $50,000 to engage with Miami's diversity and support ongoing national initiatives. We want to make classical music come alive for everyone!

With this campaign and fundraising initiative we want to bridge the gap between classical music and today's generation by supporting diversity, inclusion and equity in the field. 

Diversity, equity and inclusion are high priorities for the New World Symphony (NWS). We are an orchestral academy that seeks not only to educate our fellows about playing music but also to instill value into our musicians and our audiences to resonate far beyond the performance hall.

Here are some of the ongoing initiatives that this funding will support:

National Alliance for Audition Support (video) – a national program led by The Sphinx Organization, NWS and the League of American Orchestras to increase diversity in American Orchestras. The Alliance provides support for Black and Latinx musicians – including audition preparation, audition previews, mentorship and financial assistance – that will assist them throughout various stages of their career.

Medellín Musician Exchange (video)  – now in its seventh year, this partnership has allowed more than 100 NWS Fellows to serve as coaches and mentors in Medellín, Colombia, working with hundreds of aspiring musicians in the Iberacademy program. In return, multiple times each year, Iberacademy musicians travel to the New World Center for several days of additional coaching, lessons, chamber music sessions and performances with NWS Fellows.

Brazilian Musician Initiative (video) – since the 2016-17 season, NWS has annually provided three advanced instrumental students from Brazil an opportunity to perform in the Side-by-Side Concert. Brazilian students, ages 16-23, audition for the chance to spend a week in Miami, where they receive coaching from NWS Fellows and rehearse with Fellows and with South Florida youth before performing in the Side-by-Side Concert under the baton of NWS Co-Founder and Artistic Director Michael Tilson Thomas. Two NWS alumni, who are members of the Orquestra Sinfónica do Estado de São Paulo, have been integral to the success of this program. 

Engaging with Miami's diversity - NWS and Friends of New World Symphony will build bridges to communities in Miami that have traditionally not had access to come to the concert hall in Miami Beach or enjoy the many benefits of classical music.  Through this initiative, we will also create space for musical traditions like Haitian Rara or Kompa music, Brazilian samba, Cuban salsa and more, to have influence over the musical education and offerings available at NWS.  We will partner with local groups opening doors to new forms of music and art performances and enjoy the beautiful hybrid that will emerge.  

NWS's work in this area continues to develop based on the experiences of our Fellows, program participants and collaborators, in the United States and abroad. The New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy, was founded by Michael Tilson Thomas and Lin and Ted Arison as a launching pad for the careers of musicians who will have the ability and opportunity to positively impact the orchestras, ensembles and communities in which they work and live. It is a three-year fellowship program for musicians of all backgrounds, who will serve a variety of communities throughout their careers.

              Let's ensure a future for classical music that is diverse, equitable and inclusive for everyone.
                                           
                                             Thank you in advance for supporting our campaign!