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We have been avidly following the progress of Musical Diplomacy, the brainchild of From the Top’s Margaret Stewart Lindsay Arts Leadership Grant recipients Brian Kaufman and Michael Reichman. After an entire year of planning and organizing, their dream of using music to bring together leading policymakers, teachers, musicians, and concerned citizens was finally realized at the […]

This week in Links we Like, we observe the role that classical music can play in diplomacy and making a difference. Whether it be defending the importance of music education or supporting a political movement, music serves as a powerful catalyst for uniting people and ideas behind a cause. Also, as a little side note, […]

Way back in 1998 before we hit the airwaves, From the Top taped their pilot episode at Jordan Hall. One of the featured performers was violinist William Harvey, then 15 years old, from Indiana. We’ve blogged about his accomplishments since then, and today we have another exciting opportunity of his to share with you. This […]

Mozart, the “quicker-bio-degrader”? The concept of bacteria serving as decontaminating devices is a bizarre one, yet even more bizarre is the move by a German waste treatment plant to improve the speed and efficacy of these tiny microbes: playing Mozart. The harmonies allegedly produce greater efficiency in the breaking down of sewage and waste; all […]

We just got a neat update from composer Daniel Bernard Roumain (aka DBR).  A few weeks ago we featured a blog he wrote on Musical Diplomacy and Good, Long Hugs.  These days he’s been collaborating with the Boston Pops to work with young musicians in Boston area schools.  Check out this video for an overview […]

Hi everyone! We have brought back a favorite for the summer – Links we Like. Once a week, we’ll post a series of links to stories, articles, etc. that we find interesting and believe you will enjoy as well. Stay tuned for next week’s post! The Rite Revived: When Disney’s Fantasia chose to portray the […]

Today is National Arts Advocacy Day! Our friends at Americans for the Arts have organized hundreds of dedicated arts supporters from across the country to come together in Washington, DC to tell Capitol Hill how important culture is to our communities, how much arts education means to our children, and how much the arts improve […]

16-year-old cellist and budding actor Aaron Wolff, who appeared on From the Top last spring, has had a busy few weeks. “A Serious Man,” the Coen brothers film in which he plays the son of physics professor Larry Gopnik, was nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards. Aaron flew to […]

We are deeply saddened by the loss of our Chairman and dear friend Francis O. Hunnewell. Read more about our fearless leader on our web site.

Yesterday, Christopher O’Riley and Tour Producer David Balsom spent the day in Baton Rouge at the Louisiana State University College of Music and Dramatic Arts to announce the launch of a new partnership. LSU has named Chris its first Distinguished Visiting Artist from 2010 to 2013 and has invited From the Top to record an […]

For every holiday e-card you send to your friends, Fidelity Investments will donate $1 to buy instruments for public school students! So help music education, save 44 cents on postage, and Happy Holidays!

This week’s episode of From the Top features violinist Melissa White, member of the Harlem Quartet. Quoted by the Lansing State Journal, Melissa says: “I’m living my dream because I’m playing my violin and getting paid for it,” she said. “I was so impressed with [the performers on the From the Top broadcast taped in […]

Calling all young composers! London’s Royal Opera House is asking 11-14 year-old composers to write a fanfare to replace the regular school bell that is run to mark the end of an interval. The winning fanfare will be played and recorded by the Royal Opera House orchestra. The deadline is February 12, 2010. So tell […]

The folks at the Montgomery Symphony have opened applications for this year’s Blount-Slawson Young Artists Competition held in Montgomery, Alabama on January 30 and 31, 2010. This is a great opportunity for classical musicians in grades 7 through 12 to show their chops in a prestigious competition with some great prizes. The first prize winner […]

Our heartfelt condolences go out to our amazing producer Tom Voegeli and his family on the passing of his father, Don Voegeli. He was 89. Don was a pianist and composer, who wrote classical, jazz and experimental music. He taught in the music department at University of Wisconsin. He was also known for writing the […]

As if you needed any more reasons to support the arts in schools! According to a study by the Center for Arts Education, New York City high schools that offer the most access to arts education have higher graduation rates than schools that offer the least access to quality arts instruction. According to the report: […]

Chamber Music Hawaii and the Musicians of the Honolulu Symphony have announced that Christopher O’Riley will perform a benefit recital on behalf of the Honolulu Symphony musicians on Sunday, November 29, 2009. Christopher was originally scheduled to perform as a soloist with the Honolulu Symphony in concerts at the end of this month, when it […]

It’s been a busy day for our venerable host. Before taping a live From the Top episode at Emory University tonight, Christopher participated in Emory University’s Creativity Conversation series. Watch his interview with Emory University Vice-President and Secretary Rosemary Magee.

The White House’s music series turns to the classical music world today as it combines a program of student workshops with an evening concert performed by renowned professionals Grammy Award-winning violinist and frequent From the Top guest Joshua Bell, Grammy Award-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin, renowned cellist Alisa Weilerstein, and acclaimed pianist Awadagin Pratt. We’ve also …

A great experience for D.C. Youth Orchestra members to play with a master conductor as reported in the Washington Post.