INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – Monday through Saturday, children ages five to 18 and their parents fill Broadway United Methodist Church with beautiful music played on stringed instruments. The church is the home of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, a youth and family development program of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
"Even though our program is not a diversity initiative, we achieve that very naturally,” said Metropolitan Youth Orchestra director Krystle Ford, who came through the program herself. “We have kids and families from all different walks of life, various socioeconomic levels, different neighborhoods."
"I think it's cool that I know how to play an instrument really well that I never have done before and myself in the orchestra doing concerts makes me feel very happy,” said seven-year-old Nathan Pipkin.
Nathan and his 10-year-old brother, Andre, play the cello. The program uses music rehearsal and performance to develop life skills from kindergarten through high school.
"There are a lot of things you can learn through music,” Ford said. “How to show up on time, how to be responsible, how to listen to others, how to work together - and so we just teach those things through music instruction - all of those transferable life skills that you need."
The Metropolitan Youth Orchestra is made up of six different orchestras with about 200 students. 14-year-old Kristina Cazares plays in Orchestra A, featuring the most advanced and oldest musicians.
"I chose to play the viola, the underrated instrument,” Cazares said with a laugh. I love it mostly because of the sound it makes. It's in the middle. It's lovely in the middle."
At least one parent is required to learn to play alongside their child for at least the first year in the program. The cost of the program is $225 per student for one year running concurrent with the school year. Instruments are provided to students who can’t afford them. Instruments for parents are free.
"I like being in the orchestra because the music is fun to play with my family, and it sounds good altogether at the concert,” said Andre.
Families must interview to join the program and make a multi-year commitment to attend lessons and rehearsals and practice at home.
The next big performance for the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra is February 9th at the Hilbert Circle Theatre. The 3:00 p.m. concert is free and open to the public.