Against all odds, Ludwig van Beethoven became, arguably, the best known composer in history. Born in an attic room in Bonn, Germany, Beethoven’s childhood was less than idyllic. He suffered physical abuse at the hands of his father and his mother felt powerless to stop it. Despite his harsh upbringing, however, he still managed to bestow the world with the gift of his rare talent.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. At WDAV, we recognize that every generation brings us new artists, scientists, musicians, and a future filled with hope. This month, we are partnering with the Council for Children’s Rights by hosting a pinwheel garden to raise awareness and start conversations around child abuse prevention.

We may never know how close we were to completely missing out on instantly recognizing the iconic sound of those first four notes in Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony or how narrowly we may have missed enjoying the accessible, timeless beauty of pieces like Für Elise. Join us in celebrating children and championing a loving and supportive environment where every child, everywhere has the opportunity to thrive, not in spite of their childhood, but because of it.