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THE MOTTO
One of the most successful music education institutions in the world is the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. Interlochen's sense of purpose, vision, and philosophy is prominently displayed on the back wall of its performance
stage in Kresge Auditorium:
Every audience
member and every performer who has ever enjoyed a concert there has a clear, concise reminder of the purpose of Interlochen.
Students from around the world meet, play together, and ultimately support Interlochen because so much more than music is
eventually created: lasting friendships and great musical experiences are born and nurtured there, and it's all summed
up in their motto. For the rest of their lives, students and supporters of Interlochen can recite the motto because it has
been prominently displayed, Interlochen staff promote it, and because the staff and students have lived it.
Once your string orchestra is named, you are
half way to defining what your orchestra will represent. Your philosophy will be as important as the beautiful music you produce.
And if you expect students and their parents to support your group, your philosophy needs to be summed up in your
motto and prominently displayed.
To promote your motto, print it on your
programs, bumper stickers, bookbags, music folders, and repeat it at the end of every performance. It is only effective if
everyone is aware of it.
Without
a motto, your students, their parents, and your audiences will have a short-term experience with your orchestra which
will end at the last note of their performance. Utilize a meaningful motto and your students and supporters will have a clear
picture of the purpose of your orchestra that will result in unifying and strengthening your String Orchestra.
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