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 The Curtis Outreach Program
(COP) was created with a two-fold mission:
1) to bring classical music to young people and others in our
diverse community who may not otherwise have access to music,
and
2) to provide training and practical experience to Curtis students
in presenting interactive educational programs to children and
members of the public who have little to no experience with
classical music.
It is the belief of the Curtis Outreach
Program that musicians must take an active role in the survival of
their art. Arts education in schools has been on a steady decline
nationwide; to offset this trend, professional musical organizations
are rapidly expanding their educational programs. COP prepares Curtis
students for this aspect of their future professional life. During
COP sessions, the participants go to public schools or community venues
and engage their audiences, young and old, with music by giving instrumental
and vocal demonstrations, talking about fundamental musical concepts,
and asking and answering questions. They take responsibility for the
future of their art by providing good role models for children and
building future audiences for classical musicians. COP wishes to be
a learning experience for us all.
The outreach program includes the following
components: a training seminar, the Adopt-a-School Program, the
PECO Family Concert Series and the Albert M. Greenfield Concerts.
Special events such as regional performances, guest lectures and special
concerts in the community are also part of COP.
The
Adopt-a-School Program
Since 1991, Curtis has partnered with four Philadelphia public schools:
Bache-Martin School, Albert M. Greenfield Elementary School, the
Gen. George A. McCall School and Meredith Elementary School.
Four students are selected from each school
to take weekly private lessons with Curtis student volunteers. Most
are in grades three through eight and have already taken lessons
but do not study privately. They may participate in the program
for a maximum of two years.
Each of the schools receives at least
one in-school presentation by Curtis students during the year, and
participating teachers, students and their parents are invited to
attend Curtis student recitals and Curtis Symphony Orchestra concerts.
The Albert M. Greenfield Concerts
In a new program supported by the Albert M. Greenfield Fund for Outreach
Concerts, Curtis students give additional presentations in area schools,
hospitals, senior centers and other community venues. The program's mission
is to bring music to a diverse community that would otherwise not have
access to such programs, and to expand the scope of Curtis's outreach
efforts.
Outreach Requests
Curtis students are often hired by Philadelphia-area schools and
community organizations to give presentations, which are tailored
to the occasion's particular needs. These engagements increase Curtis's
reach into the community and offer Curtis students additional opportunities
to hone their skills at presenting educational and community concerts.
For more information on the Curtis Outreach
Program, contact the Outreach Office at 215-717-3149.
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The Curtis Institute
of Music receives state arts funding support through a grant
from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded
by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment
for the Arts, a federal agency. |
Additional support was received from the Hirsig Family Fund of
the Philadelphia Foundation.
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