Watch Small Wonders

Small Wonders is a documentary film from 1995 that tells the story of Roberta Guaspari, a violinist who founded the Opus 118 Harlem School of Music in 1983. The film takes us on a journey through the school’s early days, its struggle for survival and its eventual success. The documentary opens with scenes of the New York City of the 1980s; a city ravaged by poverty, crime and drugs. Against this backdrop, we are introduced to Roberta Guaspari, a single mother of two children who is trying to make ends meet as a violinist. She is seeking to make a difference in her community and is inspired by her mother, who worked with underprivileged children in her native country, Italy. When the opportunity arises to teach a violin class at a school in East Harlem, Roberta eagerly accepts.

Initially, the class is met with much resistance from the students, who are uninterested in the violin and unaccustomed to the discipline required to learn it. However, Roberta perseveres, and with the help of her mentor Isaac Stern, a world-renowned violinist, she starts to make progress. Over time, the students grow to love the violin and develop a newfound sense of pride in their abilities. With their enthusiasm growing, Roberta decides to take the next step and establish her own school, the Opus 118 Harlem School of Music.

The school initially faces many challenges in its early days. With a lack of resources and funds, Roberta struggles to keep the school running. She faces opposition from the school board and public officials who are critical of her approach, and at one point, the school is even threatened with closure. However, through sheer determination and the support of her colleagues, Roberta is able to keep the school open.

As the school thrives, we see the transformative effect it has on its students. Children who were once shy and withdrawn become confident and outgoing. They develop a sense of teamwork and camaraderie as they work together to play in the school’s orchestra. And, perhaps most importantly, they learn that with hard work and dedication, they can achieve great things.

Throughout the film, we are introduced to a number of Roberta’s students, each with their own unique story. We meet Tariq, a talented student who dreams of becoming a professional musician. We also meet Elizabeth, a shy girl who struggles to find her place in the world. Through their stories, we see the power of music to inspire and transform lives.

The film also touches on the broader issues of music education in America. We learn about the lack of music programs in public schools and the challenges faced by teachers who are trying to inspire children in impoverished communities. We see the impact of music on children who may have never had the opportunity to experience it before.

Overall, Small Wonders is an inspiring and heartwarming film that celebrates the power of music to change lives. It is a tribute to Roberta Guaspari’s vision and dedication, and to the students whose lives she has touched. It is a reminder that with hard work, perseverance, and a dedication to our passions, we can achieve great things.

Small Wonders is a 1996 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.