Taylor Swift apparently wants her connection to the arts to perfectly clear. After an earlier donation to the Nashville Symphony in 2013, it has now been reported that Swift has now donated $50,000 to the Seattle Symphony Orchestra because of John Luther Adams and his music.
With symphonies across the nation treading water, Swift's donation helps insure the future of the orchestra's musicians both now and in the future. According to a press release, the donation will support two signature programs, one of which is Link Up: Seattle Symphony, a program that reaches out to over 12,000 third to fifth graders. The other is the musicians' pension fund.
Per the Seattle Times, Swift wrote a letter to music director Ludovic Morlot stating that her generosity was inspired by John Luther Adams' Grammy-winning composition "Become Ocean". The piece premiered at Benaroya Hall in 2013 and was also performed at Carnegie Hall the next year.
According to the New York Times, Morlot said in a statement, "I was thrilled to hear that Taylor was moved by 'Become Ocean,' like all of us at the Seattle Symphony. This is a powerful piece with a unique soundscape. We're especially thankful that she wishes to support our musicians, and that she shares our belief that all people should be able to experience symphonic music."
The NYT further reports that Mr. Adams was able to be reached as he left a rehearsal of the piece with the New World Symphony and said that he was pleased to hear of the gift. He said, "Through her generosity and her open ears, Taylor Swift is inviting her fans to experience a new and different kind of music."
We couldn't agree more. With Swift's donation, more young listeners will be inspired to listen not only to Mr. Adams' wondrous piece but to engage classical music as a whole. Ms. Swift certainly has her finger on the pulse of all music.
Preview the John Luther Adams composition below.
