Guest Blogger from our Outreach Partner

Founded in 1946, The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation of 17,000 professional women of color who are committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the cultural and economic survival of African Americans and other people of color through transformational services. 

The Morris County (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated has been delivering impactful programs in Morris County for over 40 years! Following the directives, leadership, and common vision of our national organization, we engage like-minded groups and individuals in partnerships to expand the depth and breadth of our services through five program facets: Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health & Human Services. 

The Arts Facet offers an excellent example of our fine tradition of delivering transformational programs. Our goal is to create and expand arts activity throughout Morris County to sow the educational, creative, civic, and personal development benefits inherent in artistic pursuits. During our 41-year history, the Morris County (NJ) Chapter has delivered the following diverse array of national award-winning Arts programs:

• A Tribute to Romare Bearden, featuring an exhibit of original works by the renowned artist and collage workshops for area youths
• A Literary Arts Series, featuring readings & book signings by budding and established writers of color
• Arts in Motion: Celebrating Black Cinema – Past, Present & Future, featuring a movie screening & lecture series and a creative film initiative developed and produced by area students, some of whom are currently working in the industry
• Rhythms for Life (R4L): Music Matters in Morris County, a string instrument arts education and mentoring program for area student-artists

We are very proud to have partnered with The Discovery Orchestra for the past 10 years on the multi-award-winning Rhythms for Life (R4L) program. Currently in its 13^th year, R4L continues to be the mainstay of our Arts programming for Morris County. The current phase is aligned with our national Signature Arts Program, Classics Through the Ages (CTA), and offers the following robust components for middle and high school violin and cello students:  

• Master Classes taught by music professionals from the award-winning Discovery Orchestra
• Performance Opportunities at public and private events, including those sponsored by the Morris County (NJ) Chapter
• Dual Mentoring, whereby chapter members mentor the R4L students who in turn share their talents with students at the Morristown Neighborhood House to pique their interest in the classical arts
• Cultural Enrichment Activities, including workshops and field trips to performances by The Discovery Orchestra, The Light Opera of NJ, The Sphinx Virtuosi at Carnegie Hall, and others
• Artistic Partners, i.e., recognized institutions, organizations, or professional experts in the arts or educational and personal developmental services for young people (including The Discovery Orchestra, The Light Opera of NJ, The Center for Musical Excellence, and the Morristown Neighborhood House)

Thanks to the Discovery Orchestra, we have truly expanded the depth and breadth of the program. The organization’s latest contribution will be a Math & Music component for middle school STEM and other students in the Morris School District in 2024. The Discovery staff has a flair for creating an atmosphere where our children are excited to learn the intricacies of music, enjoy the different genres of music, and in the process, enhance their music appreciation acumen. It was with great anticipation that the students and their families awaited the live recording of Discover Saint Saëns’ “Organ” Symphony, and afterwards talked about how awesome it was for months! Maestro Maull connects with the audience! The “Master Classes” bring the same level of excitement. Our current R4L students are in middle and high school and bring an eagerness and thirst for excelling. These young musicians come with great expectation to learn how to fine tune their gift, and the class never fails to deliver. It is such a pleasure for us to be part of furthering the talent of these rising stars. 

We are very pleased to take this opportunity to give BIG THANKS to the Discovery Orchestra for the magnificent role it has played in imparting its love of classical music and helping us cultivate the next generation of musical excellence.

We also pay homage to our beloved 75-year-old international organization, The Links, Incorporated, for the impactful legacy it continues to build by Enriching Communities and Improving the Lives of People of Color through Friendship and Service. Please visit https://linksinc.org to learn more about The Links, Incorporated.

Chair of The Arts Facet Marjorie Rich
Immediate Past Chair of The Arts Facet Cheryl Outlaw