With the possible exception of King Solomon, Albert Einstein is considered the most famous smart guy of all time. The Nobel-winning physicist’s theory of relativity and its equation, E=MC2 are instantly recognizable. Einstein’s name is synonymous with genius.

But those who knew the man would say Einstein’s deepest passion was for music.

Elsa Einstein once confided to a visitor that she fell in love “because he played Mozart so beautifully on the violin,” according to a February 2017 National Geographic article abut Einstein’s lifelong love affair with “Lina” — his violin.

Mrs. Einstein elaborated: “Music helps him when he is thinking about his theories. He goes to his study, comes back, strikes a few chords on the piano, jots something down, returns to his study.”

Einstein himself said this: “Life without playing music is inconceivable for me. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music ... I get the most joy in life out of music.”

Keeping in mind the example of Einstein the consummate scientist-musician, we applaud the Blackwood Arts Group for its recent $20,182 contribution to Dassa McKinney Elementary School, to be used expressly for the purchase of band instruments.

Blackwood Arts is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to the promotion, appreciation and development of performing and visual arts.

Recently, 88 fourth-graders from Dassa McKinney visited the Blackwood Estate in Marion Township, northern Butler County, where they heard and learned about the rare art deco Wurlitzer theater pipe organ. They also saw a Laurel and Hardy film accompanied by the organ.

As a thank-you after the field trip, the fourth-graders sent Blackwood Arts about 50 essays and drawings about their experience.

“All of us at Blackwood were greatly moved by the response from the students,” said Ben Robertson, chief executive officer of Blackwood Arts.

The essays were shared with Blackwood patrons, who provided money to buy the instruments — at a discount through Conn-Selmer, a manufacturer and distributor of musical instruments.

Thanks to the generosity of Blackwood Arts and its patrons, 21 of the fourth grade’s 56 band members have musical instruments to play — instruments that they did not have to rent or buy. But they will be expected to learn, practice, play and care for these instruments as if they did own them.

Will the contribution expose an Albert Einstein or two? It’s a long shot. But it could happen. To say the least, the Moniteau School District is better off because of residents who see and care about cultivating the potential of their young people.