Violinist Joshua Bell's TED Talk: Why We Need Classical Music

August 27, 2025 at 02:10 PM · In response to Joshua Bell's plea for every kid to have a chance to play in an orchestra, last spring, I had the pleasure to see my grandchildren and over 700 other public elementary school string players from across Albuquerque, NM perform together in a high school gymnasium. It was especially amazing to see that the parents and their families came from all walks of life and were so enthusiastic about what their kids were doing. As Joshua suggested, it was a truly unifying experience! I do wish that classical music, and music education in general can thrive and grow across our nation.

August 27, 2025 at 02:21 PM · Thank you for sharing! I completely agree that it is very important and beneficial to play in an orchestra!

August 27, 2025 at 06:04 PM · As from ~ Elisabeth Matesky, Daughter of Acclaimed "Father of the US Youth Orchestra Movement" in All North America, Ralph Matesky, who started and somewhat completed his Dreams of Youth Orchestras being offered throughout the United States of America and if Poppa Ralph had lived long enough he would have implemented this in All of Canada also! {#3}

I am delighted to read and realise Joshua Bell, wonderful American Violinist, and whom I once Introduced to the Stradiari Society of Chicago invited by Geoffrey Fushi to do so at our Harold Washington Chicago Library, in a Recital offering much Information on The newer Stradivari Society Founded by Geoffrey Fushi, long morte yet his fine Legacy lives on and I believe, via his daughter, Suzanne Fushi, now leading the Stradivari Society which loans out Greatest Violins and other String Cousin marvellous Viola's; Violoncellos and Double Bass's, as far as I know at this writing, which is a beautiful thing and offering from many in the Loving String Artists Community in the City of Chicago and by now, even parts further ...

To learn to play in an Orchestra was my late Father, Ralph Matesky's Gift of Genius and I know Genius when encountering it having studied due to Poppa Ralph's remarkable teaching of myself, his young daughter, then so prepared via having played in many elementary and Jr. plus High School Orchestras and professional Orchestras, that Jascha Heifetz's "Without Reservation acceptance of myself by Jascha Heifetz into his First and Original Jascha Heifetz Violin Master Class" {and all 7 of us later filmed in the Jascha Heifetz Violin Master Class Series on YT since Spring 2011} was very much in the past to that time prepared by Ralph Matesky, happening to be my father!! Poppa went round America as his prodigious abilities to form and build Youth Orchestras became nationally known to all of the String Music Director's of Elementary Schools ~ Junior and Senior High Schools and eventually spilling over to the many University Schools of Music in this Country and later on to European Youth Orchestras and in the UK having toured throughout England And South Wales to grand Acclaim and reported as such for the BBC Radio to invite Ralph Matesky, Music Director of his superb International California Youth Orchestra Tour to Live Broadcast a major Musical Programme on BBC Radio Wales, which brought grand attention and Acclaim to the Youth Orchestra from California, Then! It also afforded a young Oboist/Pianist Michael Tilson Thomas the rare opportunity to Sub for Poppa Ralph, with a horrid Cold On the Tour inviting young MTT to Conduct the entire Radio Broadcast and doing so well, gifting young MTT a huge Lift musically and personally! I whole heartedly agree with Joshua Bell's words every single one of them that greatly encourage every town, hamlet and little city all across America to have Youth Orchestras readily available which does require The String Music Directors in all US Public Schools to do a beloved job of offering All Students in Elementary Schools across this Nation the Invitation to Study in an Orchestra Programme and it must now be reinvigorated by those In Authority of K-12 Schooling in this great Nation and I must add, for All The Reasons pointed out by a wonderful Musician and Violinist, US Violinist, Joshua Bell!!! I wish to thank the Editor of Violinist.com, Laurie Niles, for including this Article and on This Day 27th August, 2025, which in many states begin the Start of the 2025-2026 School Year and Offers All Students grand and good opportunities to Learn the Basics (many of which were 'vorbotten' and during the 4 plus year Covid Pandemic) from all pupil's and forced to stay at home with barely physical and/or social contact with fellow students of same age and a few years older ... This is a Great Recipe for the growth of Human Character; moral values through vital student discipline and self discipline for each student on the Violin or of All String Cousins. I fully endorse the Re-growth of Youth Orchestras across This Republic of The United States and make mention of years ago the State of Texas endorsing the use of Ralph Matesky Texts & All Of to learn "How to Play a Stringed Instrument" Authored by ** published see ASCAP for Pubisher** Ralph Matesky and w/Assistant, Ardelle Womack, which vastly improved the Offerings of the State of Texas public schools winning what used to be, Band and also Orchestra Contests for Best Youth Band or Best Youth Orchestra throughout the US! It has been decades since this wonderful Incitement to Improve was implemented, and call it from the past but resurrect this Now and Watch Youth Orchestras blossom across The United States of America!!!

~ ~ ~ Yours most musically from Chicago ~ ~ ~

................ Elisabeth Matesky .................

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August 27, 2025 at 07:14 PM · I feel that what is needed is a wide range of artistic and creative activities in schools. Over many years of school teaching I have seen students blossom through art, music, dance, theatre, reading...but it's not the case that there is a one-size-fits-all answer. A generous raft must be offered.

August 27, 2025 at 11:10 PM · And I will say the first orchestra I ever played in was at my public elementary school, and the book we used? "Learn To Play in the Orchestra" by Ralph Matesky. I still have the book.

I loved orchestra from the start!

August 30, 2025 at 05:13 PM · As from {#6} Delighted Elisabeth Matesky, Concert Artist in Violin taught Daughter of Ralph Matesky, prior to Heifetz, and Author of "Learn to Play in the Orchestra" by Poppa Ralph Matesky & in reading the Reply {#5} from Editor of Violinist.com, fine Violinist, Laurie Niles and on this Saturday of Labor Day Weekend, I am deeply moved and ever grateful to Laurie Niles for mentioning Poppa Ralph's one of Many Books or Texts all of which were NY Published and via other publishing Houses as Dad's Fame Spread across most of America^, the UK, South Wales included and later throughout Continental Europe in 1971 due his Tour Orchestra in most major Musical Capital Cities in Major Cities of Europe, honoured by The City of Venice with its Highest Civilian Award including the Key to The City of Venice in a maroon velvet cloth case ever attracting many more youth pupil musician Music Directors to start their own Youth Orchestras which seemed to joyfully spread rapidly & although my father's Life was cut short, his Contributions to the Pupil's in K-12 Schools in America still is felt yet all of this now needs resurrecting!! I truly believe Music and playing in an Orchestra or Concert Marching Band will help dissolve much Crime or bad Intent in our Youth and lead to much more responsible young people Grads building our communities a Right Way in the Future ~

*Dear Laurie, Thank You for your wonderful words bringing Music to my Ears and Heart on this last Summer Saturday, the 30th of August, 2025!! I am truly heartened Poppa Ralph Matesky was involved in helping You in your Violin Journey from Day One and You still have his RM Book! I know both of my parents would Hug you for this and sharing it here on your Violinist.com website!!! Sending affection from Chicago to the West Coast, I will post this on my Elisabeth Anne Matesky FB Timeline forthwith and notate my short Introduction about your loving endorsement of Poppa Ralph Matesky's influence in your own beginning Violin Loving and Professional playing and teaching career Life with I know this, Poppa Ralph's Gratitude 'Up There' on his behalf ~

A Word: ^The State of Texas formally adopted All Ralph Matesky Texts re 'Learning to Play a String Instrument' and including the Book "How to Play in the Orchestra" as their Texas State K-through 12 School Music Systems to grand success! ASTA's from Texas later National President endorsed All Ralph Matesky String Texts and with many witnessed Live public performances proven success to all of her Texas String Colleagues! ^

~ ~ ~ Yours gratefully from Chicago ~ ~ ~

............. Elisabeth Matesky .............

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September 1, 2025 at 11:48 PM · I’ve ever played in an orchestra, per se, but in several bands, the current one is my creation. Having taught multiple children to play together, as though in an orchestra, I see the value of learning music firsthand with every workshop.

To me, music learning is more important than learning a sport. It still teaches teamwork. A sport can only be played for a few years, as long as one isn’t injured. Music can be played for almost a lifetime. It’s important to having a civil society.

My wife regrets playing soccer and baseball so hard as a kid, now her ankles and knees give way easily. But I’ve never met anyone who regrets leading to play an instrument.