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Hit Radio Show and HBS Alumni Help Young Classical Musicians
When you think of kids and music these days, it’s easier to imagine Chopin and Elgar spinning in their graves than getting any airtime. But move over, J.Lo — a classical music radio show, driven by youthful performers and listeners, is rapidly climbing the charts. From the Top (FtT), launched last year and now heard on more than two hundred public radio stations across the United States, is a weekly one-hour program that showcases virtuoso performances by precollege musicians.
“From the Top is the most popular classical music program in the country,” says the show’s executive producer, Gerald Slavet, a nonprofit arts entrepreneur and partner in a real estate development and management firm. “But we want to be more than that. Through our radio show, Web site, education programs, and upcoming TV special, we’re establishing an interactive national forum for kids, parents, and teachers interested in classical music. And HBS graduates have played a key role in all of this.”
Indeed, according to Slavet, field-study and class-project recommendations by HBS students “laid the groundwork for what we’ve become — an online social entrepreneurship venture [FromtheTop.org] aimed at promoting the development of young people through great music.” The students, Michiel Kotting, Hillary Hedges, and Sara Olsen (all MBA 1999), came to FtT at the suggestion of Slavet’s nephew, James Slavet (MBA 1999).
Not long after that, Michael Cassidy (MBA 1991) of Direct Hit also became involved with FtT as a pro bono partner helping with Internet, strategy, and marketing issues. ZEFER cofounder and director Anthony Tjan (MBA 1998) (see "New Ventures New Gains" in this Bulletin issue) has also favored FtT with his expertise, and his firm to date has contributed close to $2 million in services. “We love how FtT celebrates talent and diversity and empowers kids,” says Tjan, now an FtT board member.
Last year, Slavet was able to convince his friend and colleague Francis Hunnewell (MBA 1965), an experienced banker, investment manager, and nonprofit executive and director, to sign on as CEO of FtT. Hunnewell is focusing on matters of finance, organizational structure, governance, and development. Asked why he took on his new position, Hunnewell says, “I really enjoy working with young people in the arts. It’s very rewarding to help create an environment in which these kids can blossom.”
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