"I think an arts organisation, for example a symphony orchestra, our 'product', (if you want to get in the business world) is not necessarily music," says Thomas Fortner. "It is music but really behind that music, what we provide are three things: Joy, meaning and belonging. The joy and the meaning come from the music. You talked about the kids falling in love with the instruments. I would go a step further and say we hope that they fall in love with the music, which is why my job as a music director of a youth orchestra, is to pick meaningful important music that stood the test of time." Thomas is assistant conductor and music director of the youth orchestra of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. He is also talking about the value of art education in schools and why the arts and sciences are vital for humanity. Hear more about the opera conducting program he attended in Vienna and more about his work as conductor in South Dakota.

Thomas made a shout out for Hidden Kitchen Park in Vienna

https://thomasfortner.com/

https://www.hiddenkitchen.at/park