PRESS RELEASE
Missouri Symphony Offers Musical Neighbor
Columbia, MO, June 22, 2020—Missouri Symphony (MOSY), with support from Commerce Trust Company, will debut “Mister MOSY’s Neighborhood,” a new web series for elementary school children launching Monday, June 22, 2020.
Trent Rash, Missouri Symphony’s Executive Director, is Mister MOSY. Rash uses his education background and extensive music knowledge to connect with children and help them use music as a tool to name and process their feelings. Rash also possesses a gentle kindness and genuine compassion, echoing the character of Mister MOSY’s inspiration: Fred Rogers.
Studies show children excel in school and in life when they connect with a supportive, non-familial adult. In a time of social distancing when young people may feel disconnected from teachers, coaches, and other mentors, Mister MOSY can be a friendly neighbor who cares.
“MOSY is a performing arts organization in a time of no live performances,” says Monica Palmer, MOSY’s Director of Development. “We could have seen this as a tragedy, but we opted to see it as an opportunity to find new ways to engage our community and meet a need.”
Mister MOSY’s Neighborhood will address a different topic each week and give kids a chance to experience a musical performance by the Missouri Symphony Orchestra. A new episode will go live every Monday at 9 A.M. on both The Missouri Symphony’s YouTube Channel and a new Mister MOSY's Neighborhood YouTube Channel starting June 22 and running through August 24, 2020.
In an effort to infuse this project with love from Columbia’s arts community, MOSY partnered with several local artists. Columbia jazz musician Tom Andes composed and performed the show’s theme. Local artist David Spear granted permission to use his paintings of Columbia in the introduction. Local musician Audra Sergel adds incidental music to set the mood, and filmmakers Aaron Phillips, Jordan Lundy and Matt Schacht brought everything together with professional videography and editing.
“This is a true gift of love and art from the Columbia, MO arts community for our kids,” says Palmer. “and I think it's just what we need right now.”
