HSA Opus 118

Learning a musical instrument is a unique way of exposing children to beauty. Music education is a prime tool to awaken creativity and to teach concentration and focus.

Opus 118 transforms the lives of thousands of Harlem youngsters through music. Focused study of a musical instrument affects a student’s academic performance in other subject areas in a positive way. Structured musical activities for students during the non-school hours are a means of preventing violence and drug abuse.

Instrument of Peace
Music is an instrument of peace, allowing students an emotional release in a time of social conflict and stress while teaching tolerance in a diverse community. In preparing young minds for a complex world, music education serves not only as a means to teach collaboration and cooperation, but also as a guide in solving complex problems.

Music education creates and expands horizons for children who would otherwise lack the opportunity to experience the benefits that are derived from such an education.

In 1991, 150 kids in three East Harlem Public Elementary Schools were about to lose their cherished violin programme as a result of budget cuts. Working with parents, other teachers and volunteers, their violin teacher Roberta Guaspari, founded Opus 118 Harlem School of Music, a private, non-profit organisation, to save the programme and to continue to serve public school students in low-income areas.

Violinist Arnold Steinhardt, impressed by what he witnessed in these Harlem music classes engaged colleagues Itzhak Perlman and Isaac Stern to organise Fiddlefest, a Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall to keep the violin programme alive. Not only did this first concert shine a bright light on Opus 118, it became the first in a series of Fiddlefests with acclaimed musicians such as Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, and Mark O’Connor joining the Harlem students in performance.

Roberta Guaspari’s passionate struggle to keep music instruction alive in Harlem’s Public Schools has inspired two films: Small Wonders, a 1996 documentary produced by Allan Miller, and Miramax’s 1999 feature film, ‘Music of the Heart’ starring Meryl Streep; both films received Academy Award nominations. The New York City Schools Chancellor restored funds for Ms. Guaspari and for two more Opus violin teachers. Today, Opus serves in six New York public schools.

Toward the Future
Looking toward the future, Opus 118 Harlem School of Music recently embarked on a bold new venture to establish a comprehensive community music school in Harlem that will meet the needs of this fast-growing and underserved community.

The Opus 118 Harlem School of Music, expands on the success of their nationally recognised In-School Music Programme, offers opportunities for New York City public school students to obtain one-on-one and ensemble instruction after school; access for children who may not have music programmes in their schools at all; and instruction for adults who want to learn a musical instrument or advance their musical skills.

The expanded curriculum includes viola, cello, piano, guitar and recorder in addition to Opus 118’s traditional violin programme. Wind, brass and percussion instruction, as well as Early Childhood and Senior Adult classes will follow in future years. Within ten years, the Board of Directors’ ambitious goal is to reach 5,000 students annually through the In-School, After-School and other music programmes.

What started in one Harlem classroom now affects thousands of children, here in New York and in other cities that have taken inspiration from the Opus 118 story.

The School is very excited about the development of the Community Programmes Initiative that is a direct response to the growing demand of Opus 118’s services in the community. Opus 118 partners with local organisations in bringing classes and performances to more students then ever before.