Symphony for a Broken Orchestra: How Philadelphia Collected Sounds to Save Music

This uplifting picture book recounts the true story of the Philadelphia "Broken Orchestra" project. Faced with a shortage of working musical instruments in schools, a community came together to create a symphony using only broken instruments, turning their unique sounds into a captivating performance. The event successfully raised funds to repair the instruments, highlighting themes of resourcefulness, community spirit, and the enduring power of music. It's perfect for ages 4-11, introducing children to various instruments while inspiring conversations about problem-solving and collective action.

What happens when musical instruments can’t make the sounds we expect them to make? Is music still possible? An uplifting picture book based on a true story. The schools of Philadelphia were filling up with broken violins, drums, pianos, and more, making it difficult for students to learn to play. This sparked an idea for a symphony, played entirely with the broken instruments, that would raise funds to repair the instruments themselves. Musicians young and old volunteered, and their captivating performance showed that even something broken can sing—and that great music is always possible with a bit of inventiveness and improvisation. Based on real events, this inspiring story introduces young readers to a range of instruments as it celebrates a community coming together to make a joyful, meaningful noise. More information about the nonprofit organization Broken Orchestra can be found in the back matter, including a link to an audio recording of the symphony performance.