Now in its eleventh season, From the Top celebrates the amazing performances and captivating stories of America's best pre-college classical musicians through NPR and PBS broadcasts, live concerts, online media, and education and community partnerships.
Here are some facets of the From the Top phenomenon that you can explore in greater detail on the From the Top website.
From the Top on NPR reaches more than 700,000 weekly listeners on nearly 250 stations. Heralded by the San Francisco Chronicle as “contemporary culture’s feel-good success story,” each episode addresses the musicianship, heart and humor of its performers ages 8–18.
From the Top’s eight-time Emmy nominated PBS television series was launched in 2007. The show connects with a broad audience and is praised by teachers and parents as “accessible, educational and entertaining,” with “real kids” and “real value.”
From the Top has taped more than 200 radio broadcasts in America’s premier concert halls—from its home at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall to the Kennedy Center and Aspen Music Festival and School—reaching more than 200,000 live audience members in 33 states.
2,000 young artists ages 8–18 from 48 states across the country have been featured on From the Top’s radio and television programs. These alumni are now entering the country’s top orchestras and music conservatories, as well as making contributions to the worlds of science and medicine, as well as other non-musical pursuits.
Approximately 350 NEC Preparatory School students have appeared on From the Top over the past decade.
Over the years, From the Top has featured prominent guest artists on its radio and television programs including Yo-Yo Ma, Hilary Hahn, Bobby McFerrin, Midori, Denyce Graves, Béla Fleck, Joshua Bell, and more.
Annually, From the Top and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation award more than $200,000 in scholarships to high achieving musicians with limited financial means. This program has invested more than $1 million in support of pre-college students since 2005 and continues to support deserving young people.
From the Top encourages and mentors young performers to share their music with new audiences and give back to their communities through its arts leadership program.
Each year, 10,000 students in Boston and across the country experience intimate classroom visits led by From the Top performers.
Millions of second through twelfth graders learn about From the Top performers in music textbooks and listen to their radio performances on companion CDs through From the Top’s collaboration with Macmillan/McGraw Hill Publishers. Thousands more utilize From the Top’s online media and lesson plans.
2010-10-24
GEORGE GERSHWIN