Last night at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, our old friend Audra McDonald joined us and the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Harlem Week, a series of events that "celebrate the unique and diverse essence of Harlem." McDonald received an award as part of the event.
We are delighted to be deepening our ties with Harlem, reviving a connection that involved the Orchestra’s annual appearances there during the 1980s by adding a new element that involves more of what the Philharmonic can offer in terms of inspiration and expertise.
In August Philharmonic Teaching Artists will participate in the Harlem Children’s Festival, and we are discussing programmatic and outreach ideas that will enrich the lives of our musicians and the people who live and work in Harlem into the future.
Above, left to right: Terrance McKight, Evening Host, WQXR-FM; Robin Bell-Stevens, Executive Director, Jazzmobile; Actor/Writer/Producer Daniel Beaty; Marci McCall, Board Member, Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce; Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald; New York Philharmonic President and Executive Director Matthew VanBesien; Elinor Tatum, Publisher, Amsterdam News; and representatives from Apple Bank for Savings. Photo: Chris Lee
