By JOSEPH W. POLISI

The beginning of any school year conjures up both pleasant and problematic images. In watching the new entering class of kindergartners at my local school, I wondered if any of us have really changed that much from those days when we were intrepid 5-year-olds.

Some of us jump into new situations and the encountering of new colleagues with joy and alacrity, while some of us face the unfamiliar with caution. Some are energized by new challenges and others view those new endeavors as burdensome. Whether 5 or 55, human reactions change very little, although more experienced folk are able to camouflage anxiety better.

Moving into the Juilliard community can be a demanding experience for all involved. Our students have gone through one of the most selective admissions processes in the nation, and the sense of competition among artists, although not encouraged, is inevitable as well. Yet within the realistic professional environment that has been part of the Juilliard tradition for nearly 100 years, there is another quality that tends to be overlooked. I speak of the extraordinary sense of community that flourishes in our building on a daily basis.

More and more, I have seen individuals and groups from our school making a deeply positive impact on our world through their art and through their humanity. This summer our students worked in an economically-challenged part of Florida, teaching children about the life-fulfilling aspects of the arts. One of our drama students wrote, produced, and acted in a play that poignantly addressed the issue of domestic violence in our society. And about 120 Juilliard musicians enthralled audiences in Spoleto, Italy, with their artistry and creativity.

As we approach the second anniversary of 9/11, those of us who lived through this tragedy here in New York City continue to reflect on the loss of life and the resurgence of hope that were generated by this cataclysmic event. On September 11, 2001 and after, Juilliard community members helped to heal the deep wounds caused by the events of that horrible day. They healed through impromptu artistic presentations to the families of lost or missing firemen, and they helped by going to Ground Zero to volunteer as part of the recovery.

Since that time, I have marveled at the dedication and integrity of the members of our community. With a new school year before us, let us continue to use what we teach and study each day for the betterment of our world.