Zoom out, zoom in
One of the Hylton Center’s founding spirits (donor, board member, advocate) is Mike Vanderpool. Even if you don’t know Mike, you’ve seen his name emblazoned on the headquarters building of a fine Manassas law firm. I start this column invoking this gent because one of the insights that he often shared with us was “always remember to zoom out and zoom in.”
Now this was back when zoom meant one of two things—going really fast, or, when looking through a lens, increasing or decreasing the focal length to bring objects closer or farther away. The latter sense is what Mike was talking about, and he applied it to ideas, issues, budgets, strategic plans, you name it: zooming out and zooming in gives you a better perspective on what you’re trying to see.
As you read through this edition of the newsletter, I hope you’ll find time to zoom out and zoom in. Zoom out to look at how some of the stories here have common themes that resonate across our work at the Hylton Center. For example, the Mason Artist-in-Residence feature and the Veterans and the Arts Initiative article both showcase innovative programs that bring immediate, participatory artistic experiences to various elements of our communities. The piece describing our Dewberry School of Music Chorale’s always-delightful Broadway Showcase and the retrospective look at the Prince William County Public Schools student art exhibition in the Buchanan Partners Gallery both speak to the many ways that the Hylton Center serves students of all levels (in this case the combined range is K–16, I think!). Or the feature on our great Gala Honorees and, later on, a glimpse of some of our most devoted supporters in the Copper Circle, together demonstrate the crucial role that our donors play in making this work possible. Only by zooming out can you see the totality, the coherence, the vitality of the Hylton Center’s work across so many areas of impact.
But, Mike would say, zoom in as well. If you’re interested in how music can help kids (of all ages) learn a new language, take some time with the article on our upcoming performance of Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats. If you’re looking for a lovely concert in the middle of the day (did someone mention lunch?), zoom in on the Matinee Idylls spring lineup. You see how this works.
Ever since I heard Mr. Vanderpool use that metaphor in a board meeting many years ago, I’ve employed it often myself as a reminder to look for the big picture, but don’t ignore the details. It’s a fine way to read a newsletter, and good advice for this thing called life. Thanks, Mike!
See you at the theater…
Rick Davis
Dean and Executive Director