In undergrad, I co-founded a composers' orchestra with three goals:
1) To give composers from any background - not just classical composition majors - an opportunity to hear their works performed
2) To give non-music-majors from all backgrounds a chance to perform in a contemporary, low-pressure ensemble
3) To show our audiences that modern orchestral music is awesome and fun.
We were very successful, performed for the local community, formed ties with the local Philharmonic and businesses, etc. I was an econ/music major, and this was the best and most important thing I did in college.
As a part of our outreach, we took on a few dedicated HS students, and held a HS composers' competition. We had one student, a HS sophomore girl that was really dedicated to us, and we really impacted her life. HS was crazy for her, but she would come in and make music with college kids and she felt cool, validated, and accepted. She often talked about how great we made her feel. And, of course, she made great music.
I was a bit of an informal mentor to her - musically speaking. One of my proudest moments was teaching her to conduct, so that she was able to step on the podium and lead the orchestra in rehearsal. Her, a 15-year-old girl, leading a 35-piece college ensemble. It was one of my proudest moments in college.
I'm thinking about writing an essay about this. I have 3 (required) recommendations from my professors. Would it be crazy to ask her to write me an optional fourth one? She's now a senior in HS.
