A World Brought Together

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) recently partnered with The Phoenix Symphony to provide a first-time symphony experience to a group of refugee children who recently arrived from Burundi (watch Colin Powell here as he greeted the refugees on February 12). Since opening in 1994, the IRC's Phoenix office has helped resettle more than 6,800 refugees and is now the largest resettlement agency in Arizona.

The children from Burundi had a bird's eye view of The Phoenix Symphony during its performance of The Firebird. After the concert, they had a chance to meet Virginia G. Piper Music Director Michael Christie and tour the Symphony Hall stage. They took turns admiring the view from the conductor's podium, looking at the musicians' sheet music and asking questions. (they seemed particularly interested in the big silver tuba mute!)

The Phoenix Symphony prides itself on being a first-timer-friendly orchestra, but it is an added privilege to be able to share the experience of a symphony orchestra with those who come from so far and have endured so much to get here.