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IN PHOTOS: These young musicians are instruments of change in violence-hit Baltimore

The power of music is infinite. And this orchestra is trying to rein that in. Around 60 students are part of OrchKids, a program run by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, which is hoping to bring change to the port city plagued by violence, drugs and crime.
The power of music is infinite. And this orchestra is trying to rein that in. Around 60 students are part of OrchKids, a program run by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, which is hoping to bring change to the port city plagued by violence, drugs and crime
The power of music is infinite. And this orchestra is trying to rein that in. Around 60 students are part of OrchKids, a program run by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, which is hoping to bring change to the port city plagued by violence, drugs and crime
AFP
Updated on: 
2 min read
One recent OrchKids concert took place just a few blocks from where Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man, was arrested in April 2015. Gray fell into a coma while in police custody and later died, and the incident sparked violent protests in Baltimore. (AFP Photo | Stefany Carbajal, a cellist in the OrchKids program, arrives for practice).
One recent OrchKids concert took place just a few blocks from where Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man, was arrested in April 2015. Gray fell into a coma while in police custody and later died, and the incident sparked violent protests in Baltimore. (AFP Photo | Stefany Carbajal, a cellist in the OrchKids program, arrives for practice).
Baltimore or 'Charm City' is now one of the most violent in the United States, with an average of more than 300 murders a year. Nearly a quarter of its 620,000 residents live below the poverty line. (AFP Photo | Teacher and conductor Jane Cromwell, leads the OrchKids program.)
Baltimore or 'Charm City' is now one of the most violent in the United States, with an average of more than 300 murders a year. Nearly a quarter of its 620,000 residents live below the poverty line. (AFP Photo | Teacher and conductor Jane Cromwell, leads the OrchKids program.)
In all, 1,300 children -- from grade school to high school -- are enrolled in the OrchKids program, which offers them free music education, four afternoons a week after school. (AFP Photo | Cellist mentor Carolyn Rosinsky (C) helps tune a cello for Stefany Carbajal, a cellist in the OrchKids program.)
In all, 1,300 children -- from grade school to high school -- are enrolled in the OrchKids program, which offers them free music education, four afternoons a week after school. (AFP Photo | Cellist mentor Carolyn Rosinsky (C) helps tune a cello for Stefany Carbajal, a cellist in the OrchKids program.)
The OrchKids program offers kids in Baltimore a safe place to go after school without charge -- easing the minds of busy parents who would otherwise need child care or be forced to leave their children unsupervised. They are also provided a healthy snack and a dinner before they go home. (AFP Photo | Tyrianna Graham, an eight-year-old violinist in the OrchKids program, rests between practice.)
The OrchKids program offers kids in Baltimore a safe place to go after school without charge -- easing the minds of busy parents who would otherwise need child care or be forced to leave their children unsupervised. They are also provided a healthy snack and a dinner before they go home. (AFP Photo | Tyrianna Graham, an eight-year-old violinist in the OrchKids program, rests between practice.)
OrchKids -- which takes inspiration from El Sistema, Venezuela's venerable music education program -- started a little more than a decade ago with just 30 students. This year, that first class of 30 students is getting ready to graduate from high school and some will head on to university -- firsts for many of the families involved. (AFP Photo | Ja'Nasia Hall, a cellist in the OrchKids program, performs.)
OrchKids -- which takes inspiration from El Sistema, Venezuela's venerable music education program -- started a little more than a decade ago with just 30 students. This year, that first class of 30 students is getting ready to graduate from high school and some will head on to university -- firsts for many of the families involved. (AFP Photo | Ja'Nasia Hall, a cellist in the OrchKids program, performs.)
Some of the OrchKids students have studied at the prestigious summer camp at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. Ludy Gutierres, a 12-year-old who plays the bassoon, even performed for Barack Obama. (AFP Photo |Parents, family and friends watch the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's OrchKids)
Some of the OrchKids students have studied at the prestigious summer camp at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. Ludy Gutierres, a 12-year-old who plays the bassoon, even performed for Barack Obama. (AFP Photo |Parents, family and friends watch the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's OrchKids)
The Baltimore Symphony's long-time conductor, Marin Alsop, has lent her considerable influence to OrchKids. Alsop, who leads orchestras around the world, has made Baltimore her home since 2007, when she became the first woman to lead a major US symphony orchestra. (AFP Photo |Oliver Cuellar, a cellist in the OrchKids program, rests his face on the neck of his cello.)
The Baltimore Symphony's long-time conductor, Marin Alsop, has lent her considerable influence to OrchKids. Alsop, who leads orchestras around the world, has made Baltimore her home since 2007, when she became the first woman to lead a major US symphony orchestra. (AFP Photo |Oliver Cuellar, a cellist in the OrchKids program, rests his face on the neck of his cello.)
Violence
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Baltimore
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Orch Kids

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