Dear YMMC Families and Friends –
We hope all of you are in good health and living life in the best possible way under the present circumstances. If any of you need assistance with finding resources or answers to questions, please let us know. We may be in the business of youth orchestra education and performance, but all of us are adapting and learning new ways we can help one another through this difficult time, from shopping safely for elderly family members, teaching via online platforms, or picking up the telephone and checking in with our community.
Danko has been collecting video recordings from our young musicians and has assembled promotional trailers/videos for future use. He says, “It fills me with sadness that we cannot make music together in person under the current circumstances. I miss everyone and hope that we will be reunited soon. I am working on a promotional trailer for YMM and have received many wonderful short clips so far - thank you! My biggest hope is that you stay safe and healthy because no matter what else we struggle with, life itself is truly precious and our biggest gift. All my best, Danko.” You can find a 10-minute video of our students above or at this link!
As we continue working on contributing to the recovery, health, and collaborative spirit of our community through various projects, we would like to share what a few of our young musicians have been doing during this time.
Encouraged by the Stevenson School’s statement, “to demonstrate energy, optimism, and commitment to serve in the face of Covid-19,” our YMM families took this to heart. With other Stevenson Chinese students and families, Brad and Emily Bauer and their children - Lance (violin), Helen (viola), and Katrina (cello) with YMM Honors orchestra - helped distribute over 100,000 face/surgical/N95/KN95 masks to CHOMP, Monterey Health Department, Seaside Family Health Center, Seaside PD, Salinas residents, Meals on Wheels, churches, essential providers, and the general public across the Monterey Peninsula over 3 weeks in April.
Bennett Bishop, euphonium, left; James Nielsen, right.
Bennett Bishop, trombone and euphonium in the Honors orchestra, started a volunteer grocery delivery service with another Stevenson student. They named their business the Wenliang Initiative, after the doctor in Wuhan who died of Covid-19. Their mission is “to help the community by volunteering our time to shop for and deliver groceries to those most susceptible to Covid-19, at no extra cost.” Check it out! https://www.wenlianginitiative.com/
We love stories like this. We are so proud of our YMM students and thank them for their community service. Giving back brings happiness to so many. We are stronger together!
With warmest wishes,
The Staff and Board of Youth Music Monterey County
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