Overbrook School Project - David Goldstein Letter

David Goldstein is Director of the National Resource Center for Blind Musicians, at the Overbrook School in Philadelphia. We recently loaned 3 harps for a workshop led by harpist Christina Cotruvo. One harp remained at the school, as a gift from Christina. (We gave it to her, and she chose to donate it to Overbrook). Here are parts of David's recent letter to me:

Dear John,
I would like to extend my grateful appreciation for the loan of your harps to our Summer Braille Music Institute. I also want to say how truly wonderful it was that the students had this experience. Christina was just the right person, a very fine ambassador for Harping For Harmony.
The purpose of the Institute is to help young people who are blind learn the skills and strategies to study music at the conservatory level. Emphasis is on the braille music code and technology that allows them to independently produce written theory assignments. It is quite intensive. The harps, simple enough for anyone to get something good-sounding out of -- and to be hugged back by -- provided a haven and a respite, not to mention exposure to instruments many had not had an opportunity to experience first-hand.
Christina has described how the harps moved into the dorm and shared our couches. Just as it's the students who make a program, so too do the instruments. Your harps, and the hands and hearts behind making and distributing them, added their special harmony. They are part of the memories the students have to take back with them as they continue making the most of opportunities in their busy and exciting lives.
Sincerely,
David Goldstein, Director National Resource Center for Blind Musicians

For more about this or other topics, try using your own keywords in the SEARCH box.
John Lozier