Page 57 - BusinessWest February 19, 2024

“So many people, including members of my board, have told me, ‘the first time I ever heard a symphony
school.
concerts to venues around the region, including schools.
“We’re interested in promoting the voices that don’t get heard
as much but are great composers — music by Black composers, composers of color, women composers,” Welty said. “We’re mixing in composers people have some familiarity with, but also bringing them composers they haven’t heard of, even living composers.”
So as the music reverberates around the region once again, BusinessWest has chosen to honor both the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Chamber Players as Difference Makers for 2024 — not because they settled
a labor agreement last year, but because of how important the performing arts are to the region, and how important both entities are to filling that role, hopefully for generations to come.
“When people come to the concerts, and I may open with remarks, I ask people, ‘just for a couple of hours, turn off your cell phones and let it go,’” Lambert said. “It’s like therapy — go listen to some beautiful music. For a few hours, just relax and drink it in. We just need that so badly right now.”
Welty agreed. “Music is a big part of life, and I want that for everyone. It doesn’t have to be classical — we did a combo jazz-classical concert,” she noted, before citing Duke Ellington’s famous line about how genre doesn’t matter, and that “there are simply two kinds of music, good music and the other kind.”
And good music — good live music — truly makes a difference in a community.
orchest”
ra was in
The Springfield Chamber Players string quartet includes Miho Matsuno, Robert Lawrence, Martha McAdams, and Patricia Edens.
(Photo by Gregory Jones)
Generation Next
Lambert recalled being in the fourth grade and attending a symphony concert; in fact, it’s an especially vivid, formative memory. So he’s grateful for a two-year, $280,000 grant from the city last spring to help the SSO create educational
Where You Make A Difference.
Improving the health and lives of the people in our communities is core to Health New
England’s mission. We are deeply committed to serving our members’ needs every day.
We’re proud to support the Difference Makers and congratulate the 2024 honorees.
(800) 842-4464 healthnewengland.org/community
SPN5280-0224
BusinessWest 2024 A37