Violinist Arnold Steinhardt, impressed by what he witnessed in these Harlem music classes, engaged colleagues Itzhak Perlman and Isaac Stern to organize Fiddlefest, a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall to keep the violin program alive. Not only did this first concert shine a bright light on Opus 118, it became the first in a series of Fiddlefests with acclaimed musicians such as Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, and Mark O'Connor joining the Harlem students in performance. Roberta Guaspari’s passionate struggle to keep music instruction alive in Harlem's public schools has inspired two films: Small Wonders, a 1996 documentary produced by Allan Miller, and Miramax’s 1999 feature film, Music of the Heart, starring Meryl Streep; both films received Academy Award nominations. The New York City Schools Chancellor restored funds for Ms. Guaspari and for two more Opus violin teachers. Today, Opus serves in six New York public schools. Looking toward the future, Opus 118 Harlem School of Music recently embarked on a bold new venture to establish a comprehensive community music school in Harlem that will meet the needs of this fast-growing and underserved community. The Opus 118 Harlem School of Music, which expands on the success of our nationally recognized In-School Music Program, offers opportunities for New York City public school students to obtain one-on-one and ensemble instruction after school; access for children who may not have music programs in their schools at all; and instruction for adults who want to learn a musical instrument or advance their musical skills. The expanded curriculum includes viola, cello, piano, guitar and recorder in addition to Opus 118's traditional violin program. Wind, brass and percussion instruction, as well as Early Childhood and Senior Adult classes will follow in future years. Within ten years, the Board of Directors' ambitious goal is to reach 5,000 students annually through the In-School, After-School and other music programs. What started in one Harlem classroom now affects thousands of children, here in New York and in other cities that have taken inspiration from the Opus 118 story. |
