Presented on June 6, 2020
We dedicate HearTOGETHER to George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, and the countless Black Lives wrongfully and tragically lost before them, and to the value and dignity of all Black Lives. This essay, which Wynton Marsalis wrote and posted a few days ago, helps us to understand the history and pain that has led us to this American watershed. Please read it.
With this event, we publicly restate our responsibility for, and commitment to, creating a diverse, equitable, inclusive institution dedicated to the art form of orchestral music. We know we have work to do. We are, every day, building a Philadelphia Orchestra that all are proud to say is My Philadelphia Orchestra.