Like many high school performers, senior Alistair Coleman has seen the view from the stage as a musician in talent shows and musicals. But unlike many others, Coleman has also seen his work performed by a professional orchestra—the National Philharmonic at Strathmore.

Coleman, a lifelong music lover and talented pianist and composer, began an internship over one year ago at a Strathmore outreach program where Strathmore’s CEO, Eliot Pfanstiehl, mentors him. Through his internship, Coleman has immersed himself in music; he’s discovered music’s influence on his life and its ability to empower a community.

“Strathmore has provided me a place to have my musical interests nurtured,” Coleman said. “With the National Philharmonic, I’ve been able to have my music performed which has provided me many opportunities to connect with new audiences and refine my skills and technique.”

Coleman first began composing while improvising on the piano when he was supposed to be practicing. What began as discovering new sounds evolved to composing his own music, learning music theory and how to notate his improvisations, he said.

Coleman took the initiative to introduce himself to the conductor of the Philharmonic, Piotr Gajewski, in 2015. Impressed by Coleman’s music and ambition, the conductor began commissioning symphonies Coleman composed.

Coleman recently finished a ten minute piece titled “Of Radiance and Light” that will be performed by the National Philharmonic at Strathmore in November.

“It’s trying to communicate through music a journey from darkness to light,” Coleman said. “And that can be interpreted in many different ways depending on what you feel.”

The Chorale Artistic Director of the National Philharmonic Stan Engebretsen, has worked closely with Coleman and will be conducting his new piece.

“When I met Alistair, I was impressed by his brilliance, his energy, his passion, his talent, and his honesty,” Engebretsen said. “He definitely will be one of America’s great future composers, so it is an honor and delight to be able to present the world premier of his newest work, ‘Of Radiance and Light.’”

But Coleman’s success at Strathmore reaches beyond just his artistic accomplishments. Coleman has also had a major role in advancing Strathmore’s outreach program that shares music and resources throughout Montgomery County, particularly East County.

As East County struggles with a growing unemployment rate and expensive rent costs, Strathmore developed programs to spread music throughout the area in hopes of uniting the community.

“The goal is not to develop the next top musician,” Coleman said. “It’s to use music and the arts as a catalyst to build up the community and provoke socio-economic change.”

Coleman works with Pfanstiehl and other Strathmore team members to design and implement music programs aimed at bringing about positive change in low-income communities. Coleman has met with music teachers and church leaders to understand community needs and develop goals for the program.

“It elevates the aspirations of individual student dancers, musicians and singers,” Pfanstiehl said. “It bring families and neighbors together around the ‘campfire of the arts’ to share what it means to be a community of shared self esteem and artistic expression, open to all. That is meaningful work. Alistair can be proud of it the rest of his remarkable life.”

For Coleman, his involvement at Strathmore is different from his typical day at Whitman because of his role in helping others.

“It’s ten hours of my week that I’m able to sort of serve a community, instead of serving myself,” Coleman said. “Of course, it’s not a bad thing to work hard on schoolwork and get good grades. It’s very important, but with Strathmore I’m able to serve something that’s bigger than just me.”