Outreach

Mini-Maestros

In May of 2001, John Daly Goodwin and the NYCS launched the first version of the Mini Maestros program, combining Jack's years of experience working with school children with the Choral Society's presentation of great symphonic choral music in the country's greatest concert hall.

The Mini Maestros program is a unique concert and in-school educational program for children in grades 4–8. It was born out of Jack's 15-year experience leading workshops on conducting and ensemble singing under the auspices of the New York Committee for Young Audiences. Maestro Goodwin visits classrooms, introducing children to the music and composers they will hear, to the composition of a chorus and symphony orchestra and to the basic techniques of conducting—turning the children into 'mini maestros'.

The goals of Mini Maestros are to:

Create an understanding of, and personal experience with, the roles of the conductor, chorus, and orchestra.
Provide an informal rehearsal experience featuring the New York Choral Society and Orchestra that is interactive, engaging, and educational.
Offer an opportunity to attend a performance of the NYCS and Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, with the child's parents or other family member. For most, this is a first-time experience.

The success of the program is illustrated by the following letter from one of the first 'Mini-Maestros': "Hi, New York Choral Society. Thank you for the great music of Mozart. It was a wonderful experience.......It was a special treat to be in a really famous place like Carnegie Hall and have a special evening with my parents."

Other Outreach

An example of other outreach activities involved the New York Choral Society singing the National Anthem at the opening day of Babe Ruth League (Little League) baseball in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. About 20 singers from the New York Choral Society formed around the pitcher's mound to sing the Anthem.