Our Vision
LEFT: Photo by Hillary Honeck 2010. RIGHT: Students from Harlem Children’s Zone performing Holst’s The Planets with One World Symphony. Photo by Kenson Noel
Hailed by Time Out New York magazine with “top marks for gutsy programming” and by Courier-Life as “New York’s hippest orchestra,” New York City’s One World Symphony, in its twelfth full season, continues its mission to:
Deliver dynamic programming and vibrant performances, which actively engage its audiences through innovative musical demonstrations
Champion music by living composers. The New York Times reported: “One World Symphony has performed many premieres since its founding in 2001 by the composer and conductor Sung Jin Hong.”
Reach out to the diverse neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Manhattan by performing concerts throughout the two boroughs. The symphony continually gives back to the communities that have supported its growth by its participation in community events and educational programs in various schools. One World Symphony’s commitment to bring music to the people is exemplified by the Community Music program, unique to One World Symphony, that enables donors to enrich the lives of under-served school children through music.
Serve the local and global communities through music. The symphony has raised thousands of dollars by performing concerts for the benefit of organizations in New York, such as the Uniformed Firefighter’s Association Widows’ and Children’s Fund and the United Spinal Association, as well as for tsunami victims in South East Asia and East Africa, victims of Hurricane Katrina, The Coalition for the Homeless, Haiti Relief and Development Fund, The Humane Society of New York, The Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Metro New York, the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund, the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.® Additionally, One World Symphony has collaborated with organizations like The September Concert Foundation in an effort to create world unity through music.
Olivia Giovetti of WQX-Aria reported: “Hong’s humanitarian efforts are also notable — the symphony commits to raising funds for at least one charity each year, a noble cause given how much arts organizations themselves clamor for funding. Perhaps it’s the modest means that they spin into artistically rich evenings. On a more mystical level, perhaps there’s some musical karma at play that returns the love the orchestra puts out into its world. At any rate, One World Symphony is one of those slow-and-steady success stories that sets a tone for making art in this decade’s economic climate.”
