Dear Mr. Zander,

I’ve found myself reflecting on tour again and again. I’ve been busy traveling to Korea and attending cram school every day, yet I keep finding myself reflecting on the Mexican tour with different memories daily. 

This tour taught me how to contribute not only musically, but socially as well. I made a great effort to open myself up and initiate conversations with others, and in doing so, I formed genuine relationships. In the past, I often justified waiting for others to reach out first by telling myself I was introverted. But during this tour, I realized that building connections is my responsibility too, and that the effort is always worth it. 

It truly was a Tour of Possibility. Everyone I spoke with was open, warm, and eager to connect, which made it easy and exciting to step outside my comfort zone. I discovered unexpected common ground with people I hadn’t really known before, both within our orchestra and with the Mexican musicians we met. Each interaction felt meaningful in its own way. Thank you for always encouraging us to break tribes; it really does make a difference!

I was deeply moved during the Puebla concert when we watched the short video of you enthusiastically leading the beginner Mexican students. Seeing those young children playing their instruments passionately, faces lit with joy and curiosity, made me tear up. I wasn’t sure why that video made me so emotional, but now that I think about it, I think it’s because of the pure genuineness and innocence it had, even tangible through a screen. It reminded me of why we make music, and how universal and powerful it can be. That feeling continued during the musical exchange concert, sharing the stage with Mexican musicians and performing diverse repertoire together. Also, my standpartner Mich was so sweet! Her enthusiastic smile naturally brought a smile to my face.

I’m deeply grateful to everyone who made this tour possible. And thank you, Mr. Zander, for this opportunity and your unwavering belief in us as musicians and as people. Your passion, vision, and encouragement continue to inspire us to play with purpose and to lead with heart.

It was yet another life-changing experience, and I’m beyond excited for what the new BPYO season will bring.

With deep gratitude,

Jiyu

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Dear Mr. Zander,

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Tour of Possibility to Mexico. I will never forget the extravagant concert halls, pungent salsas, and picturesque beaches I witnessed during this trip.

One message that stuck with me throughout the tour was enunciated in your speech to the Mexican people before each concert: “We belong together, as friends forever”. In each different city we toured, I experienced new threads of Mexican culture, unique traditions that guided their everyday life; yet despite the immense variety of culture, each audience greeted us with the same infectious energy and raw emotional reaction to the music. This unity showed me that music truly can bridge cultural and social divides between groups and inspire all to find love in each other.

Another memorable experience for me was our exchange and performance with the Esperanza Azteca School in Puebla. Watching the film from 17 years ago of a small string instrument class and then witnessing the performance of a full ensemble of hundreds of musicians struck me with a feeling of complete awe. It was amazing to see how one person’s actions can transform the lives of so many. This story certainly cemented in my mind that “possibility is always only one sentence away”.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity, and for your work in making these tours possible.

Sincerely,

Mason 

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Dear Mr. Zander,

I have been fondly looking back on this year’s tour. What an incredible tour this one was, and what an incredible connection we created! Not only with the audience during each concert, but also with the many students we had the pleasure to play alongside. Even with the language barriers and all of our differences, I could feel such an eagerness to connect and shared the love for music we all have. Within minutes, we were playing and talking as if we had known each other for years. As if none of our differences even mattered at all. I think we never sounded better on the Mahler than when we performed together at the Sala Nezahualcóyotl and El Bicentenario, for that performance came from the bond we forged. Everyone in that hall was moved and changed forever.

The US and Mexico are neighbors, and for many years we had a great relationship. However, with our current political climate, this hasn’t been reflected well and it is truly disappointing how things have become.

However, it is not entirely hopeless as seen on this tour. Through our willingness to connect and understand each other, and through the beauty of the music itself, there was no room for resentment, anger and fear. North America is united by its history and people, and no political parties can destroy that.

Mexico was my 4th tour with the orchestra. Each one was a unique experience, yet they all reinforce the same message.
A message that goes well beyond beautiful music and glamorous concert halls. It is about connecting with the people we meet. About sharing this incredible music that, while it may seem intimidating, especially to those who may have never been to a classical concert, it is universal and is for everyone. 

And through sharing this music, we are touching both our lives and the lives of those who we play with and for; extending friendship and creating possibility forever.

Thank you so much for making all of these tours possible. They have done so much good and I will never forget how they have changed me.

Sincerely and with admiration,

Nicolette 

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