‘Once Upon an Orchestra’ Captivates at The Capitol
A Music and Literacy Tour Unlike Any Other
In Bowling Green, Kentucky, a unique idea that gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic has taken the region by storm. The Louisville Orchestra, known for their musical prowess and penchant for community engagement, embarked on a mission to merge music and reading to enthuse young minds. The initiative, prevalently known as “Once Upon an Orchestra”, was staged at The Capitol, in the face of an overwhelming response from families across Bowling Green.
Originally, the orchestra had planned smaller events in local libraries but as over 200 families RSVP’d, they had no choice but to shift the event to a larger venue. The idea to conflate music and reading aimed to provide more avenues for young families to appreciate music while simultaneously fostering a love for reading.
The Louisville Orchestra: A Civic Organization
The Louisville Orchestra, besides being a group of highly talented musicians, identifies itself as a civic organization, deeply invested in the fabric of the state of Kentucky. They seek to educate and build as many relationships across the state as possible through their tours and events. “Once Upon an Orchestra” is an apt example of this commitment.
The orchestra, however, couldn’t have executed this remarkable literacy and music tour without allocated funds from the state government. Their hope is that, if individuals and families across Kentucky enjoyed and appreciated their work in the past year, they communicate with their local legislators about the beneficial impact of these community initiatives.
Making Music Accessible to Bowling Green’s Youngest Citizens
The “Once Upon an Orchestra” initiative is laudable for its creative approach towards introducing young children to the joys of classical music. Integrating music with literature offers a multisensory learning experience, which is often more enjoyable and effective in engagement than traditional methods.
With the community’s support, the orchestra hopes to continue promoting, providing, and making music accessible to all, with a special focus on the youngest citizens of Bowling Green and beyond. In a time when many families are seeking safe, educational, and entertaining activities, the “Once Upon an Orchestra” tour appears to have hit the right note.
As the Louisville Orchestra continues to fine tune this novel marriage of music and reading, other cities, orchestras, libraries and community groups to take note. The success of this program sends a strong message: When it comes to connecting with communities, creative and meaningful initiatives like “Once Upon an Orchestra” truly strike a chord.
