ywp blog

The economic reality

As a journalist, I was always trained to assume nothing, to continually reassess; to figure out how to get over, around, under hurdles and obstacles and to get it done -- there's a paper to get out.

This puts me in good stead to run a nonprofit in this economic climate.

So we are experiencing donors who have less to give, foundations who have more applicants for less money and corporate sponsors who are getting hit from all sides.

Today we had a meeting with one company that is deeply interested in partnering with us. It has already made some commitments and is now assessing at what level they will support us in the coming fall. We've been talking since June and we have determined our goals are the same -- to help community; our missions are similar -- using digital technology to improve learning; and we like each other.

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The VSO partnership

Someone asked about this the other day, so here's the info on this wonderful partnership. To listen to the piece, click the link above or  click here to go to youngwritersproject.org.

The Young Writers Project collaborated with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and the Vermont Midi Project to have a young composer -- Joshua Morris, a 15-year-old from St. Albans -- create six, one-minute compositions for six selections from our bevy (2,000!) of six-word short stories that were created last spring.

Here is what the collaboration -- 6 Pieces in 6 Words in 6 Minutes -- sounds like. This was recorded at rehearsal the night before the two concerts at the Flynn Center in Burlington. There were about 2,000 people at the two concerts.

Unfortunately three of the young writers could not make it so I filled in. (I hope I did them justice!) Introducing the segment is David Ludwig, the incredible composer in residence at the VSO. Listen to what can come from six words!

(WARNING: David and I have already cooked up a plan for the coming year that will involve connecting writers with composers!)

The stories... Before the light hit the earth. -- Bailey Walker, North Country Union High School

People finally stopped reading the newspapers. -- Camille Sage Bower, Mt. Mansfield Union High School.

The aliens transported the cow away. -- Emily Patch, Rutland High School

Her ghost restlessly haunts the castle. -- Amie Schiller, Brattleboro Union High School.

I knew I should have walked. -- Chris Smith, graduate, Spaulding High School.

No sir, it's a bird shop. -- Misha Kydd, Mt. Mansfield Union High School.

For more about the YWP six-word story project, click here. A 30-second spot appeared Friday Dec. 5 on WCAX and Joshua said "I really never dreamed I'd be getting to do something like this. I started composing about three years ago, so yeah, it's really a wonderful experience." David Ludwig: "To give them the opportunity to write for a professional orchestra like the Vermont Symphony is something we really think is an investment in the future of music."

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