Incorporated in 1945, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra (RIPO) is the oldest professional performing arts organization in the state. RIPO has attained the stature of a great regional orchestra under the leadership of Music Director Larry Rachleff, the Orchestra's 5th conductor, who made his debut in 1996. Mr. Rachleff has inspired the Orchestra to performances that are unparalleled in excellence in the Philharmonics history. In tandem with its extraordinary artistic growth has been the Philharmonic's increased commitment to provide music education and performance to the broadest possible spectrum of community residents, particularly the under-served. In 1997, RIPO launched Music Gateways, the most significant outreach program in its history, targeting inner city children. Through Music Gateways, thousands of children from low-income families have enjoyed and learned about classical music in their schools and experienced classical musical in the concert hall. In January 2000, RIPO and The Music School (now The Music School of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra) merged to form one of the three largest performing arts organizations in Rhode Island. In its thirteen-year history, The Music School's growth was unprecedented in the history of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts. The Music School serves over 1,500 students of all ages with individual and group lesson, employs over 75 musicians, and brings music instruction and performance into a variety of sites, including housing authorities and youth organizations. The union of the Philharmonic and The Music School is the largest merger of two arts institutions in the history of Rhode Island. Each has demonstrated steadfast commitment to improving music performance and music education in the region, while becoming among the countrys fastest growing music organizations in its respective field. Through the merger, RIPO has significantly expanded opportunities for music education, performance, and audience development throughout the state. The Rhode Island Foundation, in giving RIPO a grant to assist in the merger, recognized that the formation of a major public performance and education institution can carry a strong voice for the arts in Rhode Island.