The all-star orchestra offers free music education for everyone | Gerard Schwarz | TEDxFultonStreet

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Music programs in schools around the world are being cut, so Gerard Schwarz created a project to help more people to learn music. He brought together an orchestra of the world's finest musicians, and created a free television series so that anyone can see and hear performances of the world's greatest classical pieces. In addition, it offers interpretations, historical context, and practical teachings about music. The series has already won multiple Emmy Awards and touched the lives of millions.

Gerard Schwarz serves as Music Director of the All-Star Orchestra and the Eastern Music Festival. Schwarz recently completed his 26th and final season as Seattle Symphony Music Director and now serves as its Conductor Laureate. His previous positions as Music Director include New York’s Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and the New York Chamber Symphony.

His discography of over 350 releases showcases his collaborations with some of the world’s finest orchestras and opera companies, including the Berlin Radio Company, the Czech Philharmonic, the London Symphony, and L’Orchestre National de France. Schwarz has received hundreds of honors and accolades, including two Emmy Awards, 13 GRAMMY nominations, and six ASCAP Awards, and was the first American named Conductor of the Year by Musical America.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)