Orchestra Family Residency --a new music education project

  • When: Saturday, May 21, 2011, time TBA
  • Where: Fayetteville public library, Fayetteville, Ar, and Rogers public library, Rogers, AR
  • Cost: Not available
  • Age limit: Not available
  • Categories: Children, Community, Music (other)
Walton Arts Center announces new music education project Northwest Arkansas (January 18, 2011) –Walton Arts Center announces a pilot music education project, the Orchestra Family Residency, that introduces area 4th grade students and families to instruments of the orchestra and music history and terminology, through mini-concerts at schools and public libraries. The residency is funded in part by a grant from the Mid America Arts Alliance. Participating organizations include Mathias and Bellview Elementary Schools and Rogers Public Library in Rogers, and Vandergriff and Asbell Elementary Schools and Fayetteville Public Library in Fayetteville. Laura Goodwin, VP of Learning and Engagement says, “When we asked music teachers how Walton Arts Center might best support student achievement in music class, they stressed the importance of listening to live music. The Orchestra Family Residency offers students the opportunity to learn in four mini-concerts at their school. Each concert showcases instruments from the strings, woodwind, brass or percussion family. Programs like this one are important because they support school curriculum and help develop our future music audiences. ” The Orchestra Family Residency will feature small ensembles of local musicians coordinated by Holly Smardo of the Northwest Arkansas String Teachers’ Association. In addition Walton Arts Center is working with area music teachers to create a Music Education Resource for families. “Parents want to make good decisions when choosing music education activities for their children. This resource will help families new to our community know how to find information about the terrific resources in Northwest Arkansas,” says Goodwin. Regional musicians will perform in-school mini-concerts February-May and also the following public performances: Orchestra Family Strings- Saturday, Feb 19 Fayetteville Public Library at 12pm Rogers Public Library at 3pm Orchestra Family Brass- Saturday, March 5 Fayetteville Public Library at 12pm Rogers Public Library at 3pm Orchestra Family Winds- Saturday, April 23 Fayetteville Public Library at 12pm Rogers Public Library at 3pm Orchestra Family Percussion- Saturday, May 21 Fayetteville Public Library at 12pm Rogers Public Library at 3pm *Concerts are best for families with children at or around the 4th grade level. Walton Arts Center is Arkansas' premier center for the performing arts and entertainment. Each year more than 140,000 people from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma and beyond attend over 350 public events at Walton Arts Center, including performances, rehearsals, community gatherings, receptions, graduations and more. Approximately 20,000 students and teachers from 30 school districts participate annually in arts learning programs at Walton Arts Center, and over 300 volunteers donate more than 15,000 hours of time each year to its operations. Walton Arts Center presents entertainers and artists from around the world including Broadway musicals, renowned dance companies, international artists, up-and-coming jazz musicians and more. As a non-profit organization, Walton Arts Center enjoys the generous support of public sector funding, corporate sponsorship and private donors, allowing audience members to pay on average only 50% of the cost of programs offered. To learn more about Walton Arts Center, visit www.waltonartscenter.org.