An article in the February 27, 2010 edition of the New York Times caught our attention here at WFMT. It was a loving tribute to a high school orchestra teacher in New Jersey, Jerry Kupchinsky, who recently passed away. We do our best to promote the importance of music education but rarely has an author put into words such a powerful reminder of the impact music can have on peoples' lives.
We invited the host of Writers on the Record, Victoria Lautman, to read for you "And the Orchestra Played On" by Joanne Lipman. The background music you'll hear was performed by Mr. Kupchinsky's daughter, Melanie Kupchinsky, a violinist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. After the reading, we invited Melanie and writer Joanne Lipman to join us in conversation.
Used with permission of the New York Times, Copyright 2010.
The Chicago-area has so many wonderful music education programs that we want to collect your story about music education for a WFMT program we're working on. Tell us about a particular event or individual that shaped your music education. Was there a particular concert or rehearsal that sticks in your mind? Is there something that your former band director said that you still think about? Is there a particularly memorable orchestra retreat you went on?
You do not have to be a professional musician to participate. There is no age limit. Feel free to submit a full essay or just a few sentences describing your story. If we think we can use it, we'll contact you.
Introductions is an original production of 98.7WFMT. Series host and producer is David Polk. Executive Producer is Steve Robinson. Introductions is made possible by the generous support of Richard and Mary L. Gray, Jim and Kay Mabie, The Negaunee Foundation, The John R. Halligan Charitable Fund, Susan and Richard Kiphart, Fay and Daniel Levin, The Music Institute of Chicago and members of the WFMT Fine Arts Circle.
