Harlem Music Project

Stephen A. Ruddy, Deputy Executive Director Office of Cultural Affairs, interviews Joseph Eger, Musical Director of the New York Orchestral Society, and Sanford Allen, Violinist for the New York Philharmonic about the Harlem Music Project.

This K-12 musical education program will seek to provide musical training for roughly 900 students in the Harlem neighborhood with a focus on stringed instruments. According to the interviewees, there is a shortage in the country for stringed instrument players, particularly black performers. Allen estimates that there were only two black performers in major orchestras out of roughly 50 to 60 thousand performers nationally. Harlem will be the first targeted neighborhood, but they hope the project can expand to other areas.

Ruddy questions the men about the training program and sponsorship for the half million dollars required to finance the project. They hope that enough money can be raised to provide an instrument to every child, which will foster a love for orchestral music, even if the student does not pursue a professional career.

It is unclear if this program was ever implemented. According to a New York Times article dated August 29th, 1977, Allen was the only Black performer to become a member in the New York Philharmonic's 133-year history until his resignation that year.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 150936
Municipal archives id: T718