Music Van’s School Visit

* Re “Music Van Plays Well With Kids,” Jan. 29.

On behalf of all of us in the New West Symphony family, thank you for the excellent coverage of one of the first visits of the New West Symphony music van to a local elementary school.

Anne Cusack’s photos and Matt Surman’s article did a great job of capturing the enthusiasm of the children, the dedication of teacher and parent volunteers, and New West Symphony’s excitement about the potential of this terrific new program.

An essential element of the program is the incredible level of community support that helped to create the project.

The article mentioned the coalition of area Rotary Clubs that is underwriting the purchase of the van and alluded to the donation of the instruments by a local music store. In fact, that local music store, Nick Rail Music and its owner, Nick Rail, deserve a great deal more attention.

Nick Rail is the Music Man in my book. About 10 years ago, when the Santa Barbara Symphony launched its music van, Nick stepped up and donated all the instruments for the program. When he heard from New West Symphony board member Eugenie Howard that NWS hoped to have its own van, Nick once again made a dream a reality.

Nick gave us a selection of orchestra instruments valued at over $12,000. These weren’t just old clunkers he had lying around in his Santa Barbara and Agoura Hills stores. Each was a brand-new, name brand instrument chosen with young players in mind--glistening half-size violins, violas and a cello; a French horn, trumpets and trombones so shiny and alluring that the New West office staff had to try them out when they were first delivered!

I know I speak for all of us in the nonprofit sector when I say that our existence depends on the generosity of every kind of donor--individuals, the public sector, foundations and businesses large and small.

BETSY CHESS

Executive director

New West Symphony