“Life exists for the love of music or beautiful things.” G.K. Chesterton
Cadence youth orchestra was conceived around my dinner table over a shared meal with a lot of laughter and stories and dreaming. I gathered with friends and family that I respected and loved, each passionate about their art and even more passionate about their family. Each wanting to unite the two with a different kind of youth orchestra. Our vision was for a community to be formed around a youth orchestra that elevated the very best in musical study. This orchestra would meet in short seasons that would not put too much strain on the family. But the seasons would be long enough for the musicians to dive deeply into excellent music and experience the joy that comes from creating something truly beautiful and then sharing that beauty with the world.
From that one shared meal, the Cadence youth orchestra was born. Cadence is now in its fifth season and has spread to two campuses in both Chicago and Wheaton, IL. Perhaps one day Cadence youth orchestras will pop up in all the little pockets of our culture that could use a dose of beauty through high art as well as community with a whole lot of laughter and fun. Dreams like this give me great hope for the future of my children and all of the children that grace a Cadence stage.
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Jocelyn O’Leary
Cadence Youth Orchestra CoFounder, Creative Director