D’Addario Transforms Young Lives Through Music

Back in January, 25 third graders from Copiague Public School District knew next to nothing about string instruments. 

Fast forward to July. As members of the D’Addario String Orchestra, these young musicians, who begin fourth grade in September, have already dedicated the first half of 2014 to studying music. Three times a week, from 4-6 p.m. they learned to play music at Farmingdale headquarters of D’Addario & Co, the well-known maker of musical instrument accessories. 

Now, with two performances under their belt, many of the kids are continuing the program over the summer, scheduled to run from July 7-Aug. 29.

That’s music to James D’Addario’s ears. He’s the program’s biggest benefactor and the company’s CEO.

“I want this program to become a model for our industry,” he said.

At a time when funding for the arts is at risk, D’Addario was troubled by the lack of free music programs currently offered in his industry. 

Determined to change the culture, he and his colleagues set out to enhance children’s lives by providing them with not only music classes and instruments, but also access to concerts, cultural events, and coaching from accomplished professional musicians.

The James D’Addario Family Foundation – funding instruments, teacher and director salaries and donating space – and the D’Addario Foundation – providing transportation to and from the lessons – chose as its first beneficiary Copiague Deauville Gardens East and West public elementary schools. These schools were selected because they had not offered a string program in 30 years, the foundations’ organizers say. From there, they accepted students who were committed to attend the program, ready to play music.

Seven months into the program, D’Addario sees limitless possibilities.

“Once we show how well our program works, we will begin outreach to involve other companies in our industry and community, and inspire the creation of additional local music programs,” he said. 

The Harmony Program, a music-education-based nonprofit, administers the after-school program. The model is based on El Sistema, a method of music education developed in Venezuela in 1975.

Now in more than 25 countries, El Sistema provides free music education to hundreds of thousands of children each year. In Venezuela, El Sistema transformed the life of a young Gustavo Dudamel, the 33-year-old Los Angeles Philharmonic music director dubbed by “60 Minutes” as “classical music's reigning rock star,” who also leads to lead the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra in Venezuela.

Widely credited with keeping kids off the streets and out of trouble, El Sistema offers countless benefits, experts say. 

“El Sistema has shown us that when music-making is incorporated into children's lives on a regular basis, [they] not only develop strong musical skills but other important skills as well, such as listening, collaborating, self-expression, and concentration,” said Anne Fitzgibbon, Harmony Program’s executive director. The children learn “their roles as individuals and as members of a community.” 

In Farmingdale, the children seem to have discovered newfound inspiration. 

“I love the cello because it has a nice beat to it,” one said.

“The violin makes pretty music,” said another. 

“I want to be a violin teacher,” one boy said.

And their teachers had nothing but praise and pride for the young musicians the students became in such a short time.

“I was so pleased to see them listening to each other, following a conductor, and playing with strong tone and good intonation – no small feat for new strings players at their first recital,” Paula Nemerson, Harmony Program’s director of education said.

“The great part about playing music with other people over long periods of time is that we develop not only as musicians but as people in the process,” said Theresa Ruggles, a cello teacher.  “When we make music with other people, we must communicate through our instruments and we develop socially through this experience.”

And in a collaborative environment, everyone has something to gain.

“The students learn not only the discipline of playing a musical instrument, but also teamwork, focus, and perseverance,” said Geoffrey Stone, the program’s site coordinator. “In a similar respect, the teachers learn not only to be teachers of their instruments, but also teachers of children, and the joy of finding ways for each student to succeed.”