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The NBYO Had Never Sent a Student to the Royal College of Music. Now They’re Sending Two.

Patrick Scafidi, Executive Editor, The Ensemble

04-01-2026

In its 60 years of existence, the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra (NBYO)—Canada’s first provincial orchestra—has celebrated many a milestone. This year, there’s a new kind of success to celebrate: two of its graduating seniors have been accepted into London’s Royal College of Music. 

The Royal College has never accepted an NBYO player before, let alone two. This is relatively rare for programs that value social-emotional outcomes as much or more than musical ones. But for the students involved, those social-emotional outcomes played a critical role in their matriculation, clarifying the value of a movement that builds arts-and-community pipelines traced back to a player’s earliest years.

Join the Skoll World Forum for Free

 

 

04-01-2026

The Skoll World Forum (April 21–24) is one of the world’s most distinguished gatherings of thought leaders, focusing on finding solutions to global problems.

In Rhode Island, a Music Center Becomes a Community Haven

Sebastian Ruth, Founder and Artistic Director, Community MusicWorks

04-01-2026

Last weekend, in the U.S. city of Providence, Rhode Island, the renowned pianist Emanuel Ax visited Community MusicWorks for a pair of concerts in collaboration with our students and our professional ensemble in residence. Manny’s visit helped to celebrate our CMW Center, which was only a dream when he first came in 2017.

During Manny’s first visit, one concert took place in a neighborhood taqueria, and another on the basketball court of a nearby community center. In many ways, the concerts last weekend marked the new chapter we find ourselves in, welcoming children, families, musicians, and special guest artists into our purpose-built center.

New Grant Program from El Sistema USA

 

 

04-01-2026

El Sistema USA is launching Summer Now!, a new grant initiative for accelerated learning in summer programming.

Suggested Reading: Music as a Social Prescription

 

 

04-01-2026

“Social Music as a Prescription for Maintaining Wellness” is an article by renowned U.S. jazz musician Jon Batiste and Joanne Loewy, Director of the Department of Music Therapy and Professor at New York City’s Icahn School of Medicine.

Free Newsletter Offers Resources for Cultural Orgs

 

 

04-01-2026

Check out the free newsletter published by the cultural mobility organization On the Move—it includes global news, open calls for presenting and other opportunities, residencies, competitions, training, fellowships, jobs, and resources.

New Report Measures Long-Term Impact of Youth Community Arts Programs

 

 

04-01-2026

A new report from The Wallace Foundation, “Creative Expression, Caring Relationships, and Career Pathways: A Guide to Youth Outcomes in Community Arts Programs,” identifies the long-term benefits of these programs.

Music Learning and Olympic Excellence

 

 

04-01-2026

Many of us were absorbed in watching the extraordinary performances at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

Cities Celebrate Bach

 

 

04-01-2026

On March 21, Luxembourg City celebrated Bach’s 341st birthday with the 16th year of Bach in the Subways—52 free performances of his music in 21 venues, including arts venues, shops, restaurants, and bookstores.

Free Report: Complexity Thinking is Changing Music Education

 

 

03-04-2026

For those interested in theoretical perspectives on music education, a new research report proposes that complexity thinking is changing approaches to music education.

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