Ever since its formation in 1932, the N.C. Symphony has belonged to the people. In fact, in 1943, when it became the first orchestra to receive continuous state funding, the people signaled their pride. The symphony all along has played in many areas of the state, inevitably giving some youngsters their first exposure to classical music. In the 1950s, one of those youngsters was Martin Lancaster, then a page in the state House, which is where the kid from Down East first heard orchestral music.

He's now a season-ticket holder. And, as the retiring president of the state community college system, he was eager to help the music be shared. So thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, soloists and ensembles from the state symphony will play in community colleges and public schools all around North Carolina, in rural areas where such opportunities might be rare.

As audiences say when the symphony finishes up a concert, bravo. Here is an appropriate gesture of solidarity from this grand group of musicians to the citizens who have long supported the orchestra.

Who knows how many sparks will be found out there, how many other young people will leave a performance by a symphony member or members with that wonder of a new discovery, the excitement of a new adventure?

Perhaps folks in the Triangle, with ready access to the Raleigh-based symphony, don't fully comprehend what it will mean to families and especially youngsters in outlying areas of the state to be in a room with gifted musicians for an hour or two. Who knows? The young folks might find they prefer the real thing to recorded music blasting through headphones.

OK, OK. We know this isn't a miracle-working tour. Or is it?