We at MOP believe:

• All young people benefit by exposure to music education, and especially by the discipline inherent in the process of learning to play music.

• Young people benefit by learning to play as part of an orchestra. They learn to cooperate with others; they learn to be responsible; they learn to accept instruction and leadership from others; and they accrue the benefits of honest competition which includes learning to strive for improvement, performing under pressure, exhibiting grace in advancement and resilience in defeat.

• We believe these important dispositions, acquired partially in the Music Opportunity Program, are carried into other of life's venues. Further, we believe these are, indeed, critical lessons for a successful life. Moreover, we have repeatedly observed their beneficial, sometimes even dramatic, impacts on our students.

• All young people deserve opportunity and it is our responsibility, along with other value-driven institutions, to do all we can to enhance those opportunities and see that they become available to as widely diverse a population as possible


Rita Salzberg