Volunteer Q&A: Darlene and Howard Sandifer

Music educators Darlene and Howard Sandifer recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of their Chicago West Community Music Center, an after-school program serving more than 250 students from diverse neighborhoods. Darlene, an arts administrator, is the center’s managing director and Howard, a composer/arranger/producer/performer, is the executive director. The center’s programs span the decades of American- and European-centered music, from gospel to jazz to Motown, as well as classical and opera. With their frequent travels to music capitals in France, Brazil and China, the Sandifers have become international music ambassadors.

What inspires your love of music?

We are inspired by music, as both Howard and I come from musical families. Also, before music-education classes were removed from the Chicago Public School system, students had many options in the arts to choose from. Our choice was music. 


What drew you to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra?

In 1999, when we started the Chicago West Community Music Center and later the center’s community orchestra, we wanted a goal for students to aspire to. We learned of the CSO’s African American Network and reached out to Ms. [Sheila] Jones [the CSO’s director of community stewardship] to get involved, and the rest is history. 


Do you have a favorite concert or other memory of the CSO?


In late September 2019, Maestro Riccardo Muti lead a special community rehearsal with students and faculty from Chicago West Community Music Center Symphony Orchestra at the Columbus Park Refectory in the Austin community on Chicago’s West Side. The event was hosted by the CSO’s African American Network. 


How have you kept music part of your life over the past year?

We continue teaching students about the business of music and providing job training in the music field. We are also introducing students to professional artists in the industry who have set the direction of music over the years through our YouTube Channel titled “BlackMuse.” 


What are you most looking forward to when the CSO returns to live concerts?


We are looking forward to attending the wonderful concerts and listening to the beautiful music, 
especially that of Beethoven. 


Why do you believe it’s important for volunteers, donors and patrons to support the CSO? 


It is important to maintain the classics! It has been our experience that people will support what they love and what they are a part of.