Our Community
Polyphony uses music to build a new kind of community. A classical music ensemble involves more than the passive receptiveness of listening to music because the ensemble’s success depends upon the combination of each individual’s discipline and unified teamwork. In this way, each member is committed to the success of the entire ensemble.
This environment distinguishes Polyphony among programs using classical music as a diplomatic tool: Parents, students, teachers, and the community come together to achieve a shared goal of musical communication that transcends political affiliations.
“When you’re on stage, it’s just you and the other musicians. We stop thinking about backgrounds. This sense of equality that you deliver to your audience, it makes you feel that you belong and that you can do something.”
Mais, 22-year-old Arab flutist
“If my friends get judge-y about [an Arab] kid they pass in the street, I say to them,
‘That kid is a human, you need to judge him by who he is, not by his religion.’ And they listen to me.”
Ron, 16-year-old Jewish boy
“We want to move towards living together with connections of peace. We cannot wait for it to happen. If we wait, the vacuum that exists in Israel now will be filled by other voices.”
Father of Nada, 14-year-old Arab girl
“A big part about what Polyphony is about is not talking about peace, it’s not advocating for peace, but building relationships on a very grassroots level through music.”
Deborah Cogut, Co-Founder
“Once, during a particularly tense time [in Israel], I asked the mother of one of our students how she was doing and she said, ‘I am so happy to be in what feels like the only sane place on earth.’ And that meant a lot to me…to be part of a place where Arabs, Jews, everyone continues to show up and build, even in the toughest of times.”
Lina, Jewish conservatory teacher
“Culture change is what you do, not what you say. We belong to humanity more than smaller circles.”
Nada, 14-year old Arab girl
“I want everyone to go to Nazareth to see what Polyphony is doing. During their performance, you could see in the children’s faces their total commitment to the music…they felt every note they were playing. All of us—musicians and audience members—experienced the power of music to bring people together.”
Amy, donor, Dallas, Texas
“Giving these concerts is the highlight of my week. The kids are so excited to perform their movements as we play. It’s a joyous experience for everyone.”
Dudi, conductor of the Alhan Explained Concerts
“I am definitely coming back for the next seminar! I discovered so many things being in Nazareth.”
Lior, 15-year-old Orthodox Jewish boy from a West Bank settlement
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