Norman Malone was partially paralyzed by his father as a child. He eventually performed piano with the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra. A new documentary tells his story.
MOSSO, the Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, will celebrate the music of legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim on Thursday, June 23, at 7:30 PM in Springfield Symphony Hall.
Norman Malone never abandoned his dream of becoming a concert pianist – despite a violent attack by his father that left his right side paralyzed at the age of 10. The new Kartemquin documentary film “For the Left Hand” chronicles the Chicagoan’s path from child prodigy to high school music teacher to his orchestral debut at age 79.
New Haven Symphony Orchestra
Elementary school music programs have seen a drop in the number of students enrolling in band or orchestra. The pandemic has forced music teachers to abandon their typical recruiting methods. But now a coalition of Connecticut symphony orchestras has stepped in with a series of free, online services to encourage potential musicians to sign up.
Pre-COVID, school districts would have a hands-on type of demonstration so students can choose the right instrument. This typically happens the year before they are allowed in band and orchestra. In West Hartford, for instance, 3rd graders are taken to Conard High School where they hear the West Hartford Symphony play a concert, and get the chance to come on stage and hear the instruments up close before they make a choice.