Honor orchestras and clinics
Adrian programs and conducts all-state, all-county and festival orchestras, giving students a day with a composer on the podium.
See the calendarImpact & education
Music that meets students where they are.
For more than 20 years, Adrian Gordon has written music students love to play and brought it to classrooms, festivals and stages across the country. This is the work behind the work.
20+
years teaching, conducting and composing
16
states reached through clinics and residencies
55
honor orchestras, clinics, residencies and conferences listed
Reach
16 states and counting
Honor orchestras, clinics, residencies and conferences from coast to coast, on the way to all 50.
16 of 50 states
- California3
- Florida2
- Georgia2
- Illinois3
- Indiana1
- Kentucky1
- Michigan1
- Minnesota1
- New York7
- North Carolina17
- Ohio4
- Pennsylvania1
- South Carolina2
- Tennessee3
- Texas2
- Washington4
The mission
Bridge artistry and education.
Music written for the classroom can tell real, sometimes emotional stories, and every student deserves to play music that moves them.
Programs
How the work reaches students
Composer residencies
Multi-day visits where students rehearse a composer’s music with the composer, and learn how a piece is made.
Book a residencyHeart on a String
An album, music videos and classroom resources with the Charlotte Strings Collective, connecting what students play with the stories behind it.
Explore the projectSupport for teachers
Note to Self, conference sessions and professional development for new and veteran directors.
About the bookMusic students can see themselves in
Through the Charlotte Strings Collective, Adrian performs with an ensemble celebrating the music of Black composers through performance and education.
Meet the CollectiveLeadership in the field
Adrian also serves as a Member at Large on the ASTA Board of Directors.
About AdrianBring this work to more students.
Arts councils, foundations and districts can sponsor a residency, a clinic or Heart on a String programming for a school that couldn’t otherwise host one.