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SMP in the News
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Last week, Marta Zekan of Classical KING FM's "Arts Channel" interviewed SMP's Executive Director, Scott Gelband, and Program & Outreach Director, Lindsey Harris, about the mission and history of our after-school program, whom we serve, what's in store for next year, and more. To hear the interview, click on the link below: www.king.org/arts. Enjoy!
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"It has been a blessing to have your guidance for our daughter over the past two and a half years. Thank you very much!"
- Parent of a Bailey Gatzert 5th grader
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Join us for the 2nd Annual
All-SMP Concert and Celebration!
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On Tuesday, June 7th, we will continue the tradition of bringing together the entire SMP community for our 2010-2011 culminating concert and celebration. Students and tutors from all 3 elementary school sites will come together to perform in one large wind ensemble and string ensemble. In addition, there will be musical performances from Washington Middle School SMP students and from an inspiring house band. We'd love you see YOU there for music, fun, food and special recognitions.
Tuesday, June 7th, 7-8:30pm at Bailey Gatzert Elementary School
Please let us know if you can join us: info@seattlemusicpartners.org
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Auditions: The Results Are In!
Following our 5th grade field trips to visit music classes at Washington Middle School, our Middle School Music Meeting for parents and guardians, and one-on-one work with their tutors, 88% of SMP's Washington-bound students auditioned for spots in the orchestra and band program. Not only did a record number of SMP participants audition, 76% placed at the intermediate (or higher) level, setting a new standard of accomplishment! Many thanks to the year-long efforts of the District's Elementary Instrumental Music teachers, SMP's tutors, and, of course, the students themselves for their commitment and perseverance. Congratulations to all of our rising 6th graders! |
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AmeriCorps x 4
Did you know that SMP's Program Coordinator for each of the past three years has been a government-sponsored AmeriCorps volunteer? Our Program Coordinator is the logistical backbone of the organization, helping with volunteer recruitment and ongoing support, attendance, student transportation, family newsletters, coordination with school personnel and so much more! This year we have had the good fortune of working with musician, Allie Eisenbarth, a recent Harvard graduate with counseling experience at a local children's home. Allie has been a terrific add to the team, bringing to her work a wonderful combination of dedication, empathy and humor, while making fabulous contributions to our student, volunteer and family communities. "Music has been and continues to be an important part of my life. Working with SMP has been a tremendous experience - I love supporting and encouraging this generation as they continue their musical journeys! It's been stellar to watch the many ways, big and small, that the students we work with progress."
Allie is the third AmeriCorps member with whom we have had the pleasure of working. Both Lindsey Harris, our current Program & Outreach Director, and Naomi Siegel, one of our Music Coaches, served as our Program Coordinator during their AmeriCorps year of service.
And, we learned just last week that we will again have the pleasure of working with another AmeriCorps volunteer starting this fall. Spread the word! - if you know someone who might enjoy a year of service working with SMP, please send along the link to our job posting: http://www.idealist.org/view/job/HFnT2TfnPcH4/.
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SMP Student & Tutor Spotlight:
Zuberi Wilson and Jim Snell
Collectively, Zuberi and Jim have been a part of SMP for about 13 years. Jim has lost count of exactly how many. A resident of the Leschi neighborhood, he has been tutoring students on the clarinet at Leschi Elementary since Seattle Music Partners' beginning. When asked why he keeps coming back to SMP each year, he starts with the simple answer: "I'm retired; I have the time, live close by and I think that it's important." But then, in considering the importance of his work with us, he is taken back to his own journey with music, starting in elementary school. Jim says that music shows students "the value of working hard, concentrating and getting better and better. Music is something that young people can make their own." And for students in the Central District, living in a place with such a rich musical history and nationally-renowned school music programs, "it's criminal for thise kids not to get inspired".
Jim has tutored Zuberi on the clarinet throughout his 4th grade and 5th grade years at Leschi and Jim says that Zuberi has been one of his most serious and dedicated students. Zuberi's dedication and hard work paid off in his audition for Washington Middle School's music program. He will be starting off in Junior Band as a 6th grader next year!
Zuberi likes to play jazz and any songs with "a good rhythm to them". He advises students just starting on an instrument to "practice a lot" and he thought that when it came to his WMS audition, it really helped him to learn the chromatic scale. Zuberi's got ambition for his clarinet playing and a little family rivalry is pushing him as well. He says that he's mostly looking forward to "trying to get to Senior Band [at WMS] at a faster rate than my older brother".
We are all excited to see where Zuberi's music will take him and are grateful for Jim's consistent presence and musical guidance over the past 11 years!
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Method Books and Music Stands for All
In addition to being able to borrow an instrument for the school year, for the first time ever, each of the close to 100 students in our program was able to borrow a method book and music stand, thanks to the generosity of The Archibald Charitable Foundation and favorable pricing from local music stores, Capitol Music and Metropolitan Music. We are also grateful to 4Culture and The McEachern Charitable Trust for recent grants for instrument purchases, as well as to all of the individuals who donated instruments to the program this year. With their help, and yours, we have been able to support our students' progress by providing the means to be able to practice at home.
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Music Education around the World
You can help support the musical learning of young people living in a rural town in Macedonia. Many community partners are coming together to provide instruction in traditional Macedonian music to youth who otherwise would not have the chance to learn. "This project has enthusiasm from the volunteer teachers and the young people in the community. It would be a great opportunity to promote music in the community and to keep alive great, traditional Macedonian music", says Peace Corps volunteer and project co-founder Zach Koslap. The town needs your help to make their dream of accessible instruments and music education a reality.
Click here to learn more about this project and to donate.
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Thanks so much for your support of Seattle Music Partners this school year!
We will be working hard this summer to make our program even better for our participants next fall. Stay Tuned!
All the best,
Seattle Music Partners Staff
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