'Let's focus on humanity': Refugee Orchestra Project set for Worcester

Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Worcester, MA

The Refugee Orchestra Project was founded in 2016 by artistic director and conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya at a timely moment. The idea was to unite refugee musicians, raise awareness, and raise funds for those fleeing the Syrian refugee crisis. Works by refugees would be played by musicians who were refugees.

There is no time like the present as the Refugee Orchestra Project comes to Mechanics Hall on March 1 for a concert on its 10th anniversary presented by Music Worcester.

Yankovskaya, who is considered to be one of the greatest contemporary conductors, is herself a refugee.

"It quickly became apparent that many of my friends and colleagues did not know that I came to this country as a refugee,” said Yankovskaya. “Since refugees are often hesitant to talk about their experience, most of us overlook the multitude of refugees or children of refugees whom we encountered each day and who provide significant contributions to our culture and economy. I decided to organize the Refugee Orchestra Project, as a way to demonstrate, through music, the critical role that these individuals play in our cultural landscape."