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The Molly
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The Student In-School Concert Series
"The College of Visual & Performing Arts Provides Musical Outreach to Hillsborough County School Children"
by
Jennifer Lenhart Director, Marketing & Communications College of Visual & Performing Arts University of South Florida
Thanks to the hard work of dedicated music specialists teaching in the community, Hillsborough County public schools' music department is ranked in the top 100 nationally. Yet, many Hillsborough County children in economically challenged Title 1 schools do not get the opportunity to hear a live professional musical performance until they are in fifth grade.
In a pilot program developed by the School of Music's Dr. Wade Weast, Hillsborough County District Music Supervisors Margaret Griffin and Ted Hope along with Alicia Keim, President of the Unsinkable Molly Brown Foundation, the College of Visual & Performing Arts is able to reach out to the community and introduce many elementary and middle school students to live musical performances.
"We hope that all music programs in Hillsborough County will benefit as a result of this partnership - especially schools with emerging music programs or programs in economically challenged neighborhoods," said School of Music Director, Wade Weast. "Sadly the arts are usually the first things to get cut in hard budget times, so we feel this project will aid in keeping the arts alive in Hillsborough County."
At least three times per semester, groups of students and faculty from the School of Music donate their time by packing up their music stands, instruments, and sheet music and making the drive over to one of Hillsborough County's Title 1 elementary or middle schools to perform in the "Student In-School Concert Series."
"This program is important so that students in public schools are able to develop a vision of what they can achieve in music and understand that a college education includes a wide variety of opportunities to learn," said Hillsborough County District Music Supervisor, Margaret Griffin.
During the concerts, students are able to sit in close proximity to the musicians and are given ample time after the performance so they have the opportunity to ask questions. Questions center on the music, instruments, and education.
By answering these questions, Music Performance Majors benefit from this program because they are asked to speak about the music and composer. This aids in refining their "music business" skills. This program also offers Music Education students the chance to enhance their educational experiences before becoming teachers.
"These young musicians from the School of Music are not only terrific representatives of USF, but they are also wonderful role models for the children they reach in the community," said Keim. "In one day, the children they reach learn what you can accomplish with practice and discipline, both in the arts and in life"
If you are a music teacher in a Hillsborough County public elementary or middle school and are interested in participating in our "Student In-School Concert Series", please contact Alicia Keim at:
Appearing at Hugo Schmidt Elementary School on April 4th, 2006 University of South Florida Professor and Director of Percussion Robert McCormick and The Marimba Ensemble
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For further information, contact Alicia Keim at: (813) 920-1981 or aliciakeim@tampabay.rr.com |
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The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Foundation was incorporated on February 1, 2001 |
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