WBUR Newsroom Election 2008 CommonHealth Blog Boston Weather BBC World News NPR Top Stories NPR's Morning Edition NPR Topics: Books NPR Topics: Movies Fresh Air All Things Considered Marketplace Submit a Story Idea RSS Feeds Podcasts "STEP" Into the Pops By Delores Handy Listen to story (Real Audio) STEP Student Danielle Lennox Heichmann and new STEP Artistic Director Mariana Green Hill. (Photo: Sarah Bush) BOSTON, Mass - May 30, 2008 - Project STEP, or String Training and Education Program, offers intensive musical training to African-American and Latino students. The goal is to improve diversity in orchestras. Now, after three years at the helm of STEP, the program's much-loved artistic director is leaving Boston for his hometown of Lexington, Kentucky, William Thomas has also been a member of the music faculty at Phillips Academy in Andover since 1974, and served as Chair of its Music Department for 15 years. As a testament to Thomas' leadership at STEP is something he first arranged two years ago: A current student and an alumna of the program performed solos at last night's Boston POPS concert. This morning, you can hear the rehearsal and the voices of the performers as they talk about what William Thomas has meant to them. To find out more about Project Step, and to see a video including William Thomas, click on the link below. WBUR's Sarah Bush produced this audio postcard. RELATED LINKS Project STEP (String Training and Education Program)    From The WBUR Newsroom Judge Postpones Sentencing Ex-FBI Agent Connolly MIAMI (December 04, 2008) A Miami judge has postponed sentencing for former FBI agent John Connolly, who denies any role in the 1982 slaying of a Miami gambling executive. Connolly faces up to life in prison. Gun Club, Police Chief Indicted In Boy's Uzi Death SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (December 04, 2008) A gun club and a police chief whose company sponsored a gun show have been indicted for involuntary manslaughter in the death of an 8-year-old Connecticut boy who accidentally shot himself with an Uzi. Mass. Lawmakers Wary Of Turnpike Privitization BOSTON (December 04, 2008) Many state lawmakers say they're skeptical of the idea of privatizing the Massachusetts Turnpike.. Celtics Win 10th In A Row BOSTON (December 04, 2008) The Boston Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 114-96 on Wednesday night for their 10th straight victory.				Sponsor