Thank You Brandi Carlile!

Founded by Brandi Carlile in 2008, the mission of the Looking Out Foundation is to support, through music, humanitarian outreach efforts in local communities and beyond.   This arts-based foundation serves the chronically underserved through its ongoing philanthropic efforts and involvement with social issues.   Brandi Carlile and her fans donate $1 from every concert ticket sold to The Looking Out Foundation, channeling hundreds of thousands of dollars and resources to organizations that support the arts, women, public health, the hungry and the homeless.

Our own Rachel Brackett (aka "Miss Melody") had an opportunity to meet Brandi at a recent fund raiser Ms. Carlile performed in. Thanks to The Looking Out Foundation, hundreds more of our youngest students will enjoy an engaging and fun music education with First Note!

Music Education Falls Victim to Standardized Tests

The pressure on teachers and our school system in general to perform well on standardized tests has produced an environment where school curriculum, and in many cases, school funding is tied to test outcomes. 

This has produced an lopsided emphasis on those subjects that are tested at the expense of those that aren't.  

Close your eyes for a minute and daydream about a world without bubble tests (more). 

Kindergarten students (above) at St. Madeleine Sophie Elementary School enjoying the "Frankie Dance," a series of movements that begin each First Note lesson.  Other students (below) participate in games that reinforce the concepts taught in each lesson.  Looks like fun, doesn't it?  Well, it is! 

Paulette and Jenna

First Note co-developer Paulette Evans was attending an educational conference in Nashville recently and runs into Jenna Bush, who was also there covering a story.  Paulette is not teaching just now, as she is the Title One Facilitator for the Lake Washington School District in Washington State. We miss 'ya, Paulette!