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The Concert Curriculum In The News
The unprecedented spectacle of the performance that culminates the Concert Curriculum, in which the remarkable achievement of regular kids is publicly displayed, has attracted local and national, print and broadcast, media. Indeed, the potential of every child to accomplish remarkable things, including those for whom expectations have been artificially lowered, is a story worth telling.
Radio
National Public Radio has produced two documentaries regarding the programÕs origins.
A CD containing the documentaries is available upon request.
Television
All major television networks have covered the program through their news affiliates.
A videocassette containing news broadcasts is available upon request.
Print
The program has been covered in a number of publications. Some excerpts:
In the live music realm, the most exciting thing going on in children's programming is called "An Orchestra's Guide to the Young Person." ...
While it's laudable that some orchestras now send schools study materials in advance of kiddie concerts, it's doubly refreshing that in this case, it works the other way around: the kids send their original work to the orchestra and it gets incorporated into the piece. Response has been overwhelming, and Bloom has been asked to take the show to schools and symphonies around the country.
Classical music could be doing more things like these, things that would have kids begging their parents for a chance to go to the symphony or to buy a new CD. In experiencing music, kids would get a tremendous boost to their intellectual, emotional, and creative development. And they'd acquire a level of musical literacy that would enable them to enjoy classical music for a lifetime. Read the entire article (pdf file) >>
ø Gwendolyn Freed, National Arts Journalism Program Journal, Columbia University
How do you keep the attention of over 1,000 elementary school children for an hour? Classical music might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it worked twice Tuesday morning.
On stage at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach were more than 50 members of the Sandpiper Shores Elementary School chorus - sharing the stage with the Israel Chamber Orchestra....
[It is] the story of a child who goes to the orchestra with his parents, and when the child falls asleep, he begins to dream that he is in control of the orchestra. Mozart and Beethoven are suddenly interspersed with jazz, swing and, in one of the more interesting moments of the performance, Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" is played to a rap beat.
At the beginning of the work, the child is apprehensive about the performance.... By the end of the performance, the child keeps asking for more music and concedes that he enjoyed the concert. His requests for more were echoed throughout the audience.
ø Jason Zacher, The Boca Raton News, Boca Raton, Florida
The pupils were involved in the composition of the work in several ways.
... "They are very excited about their involvement," [elementary school teacher] McGuire said. "What I like about the work is that each student has an opportunity to shine in their own way - those children who are very theatrical and outgoing and those who are more quiet."
ø Bill Rice, The Daily Gazette, Albany, New York
Testimonials
"A thoroughly unique and exhilarating experience for the orchestra, for the children, and for me, which made for a fantastic experience for the audience! We would love to do it again."
ø Philippe Entremont, Conductor, Israel Chamber Orchestra
"We have never had concerts that integrate children's and professionals' talents to this degree, or that engage large audiences of young people in quite this fashion. This is outreach at its very best!"
ø Susan Tilley, Regional Arts Administrator, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
ÒAn extraordinary year that culminated in an event so spectacular, it brought together families, teachers, and students, and rallied the whole community.Ó
ø Thomas Rabone, Principal, Maple Hill Middle School, Castleton, N.Y.
ÒI taught my whole curriculum through this piece.Ó
ø Dorothy McGuire, elementary school music teacher
ÒEmpowering children to participate in the creative process.Ó
ø Robert McBride, Performance Today, National Public Radio
ÒI loved the show! I wanted more!Ó
ø Nathaniel, age 10
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