We are entering fall, and students are returning to school! For many of us, the phrase “back to school” brings back memories of new classes, new friends, and singing in school choral music programs. Unfortunately, these opportunities are not available for all.
Chorus America, the advocacy, research, and leadership development organization that advances the choral field, is thrilled to announce awards totaling $950,000 to 21 inaugural grant partners of its new Music Education Partnership Grants program, made possible through a new funding partnership.
by Alysia Lee and Diana Sáez
It’s no secret that these have been difficult times for choruses and choral music educators lately. It’s why, as board members of Chorus America, we are delighted to share some wonderful news – the launch of Chorus America’s Music Education Partnership Grants. This new funding partnership will be awarding over $900,000 this grants cycle to support collaborations between community organizations and elementary, middle, or junior high schools during the 2022-23 school year.
As early as May 2020, researchers identified COVID-19 to be highly transmissible through singing and choral musicians had to pivot quickly. Overnight, music educators and choral conductors became experts in planning asynchronous Zoom rehearsals and producing virtual choirs, allowing their ensembles to continue creating through the pandemic.
Chorus America is thrilled to welcome two new team members to the organization, both of whom will be supporting the inaugural Music Education Collaborative Grants program.
More and more choruses are developing in-school programs in partnership with local schools and nurturing their own youth choruses. In doing this work, they are learning that successfully involving more young people and their communities in choral singing often involves meeting them where they are.
Three choral organizations show how united voices can make a difference for themselves and their communities.
Educational partnerships that serve school-age children are a focus for teachers and community choir leaders alike. In this webinar, our panel of experts will explore the different types of partnerships, talk about potential program models, and discuss how to create the ideal program for your community. Participants will walk away with a range of program styles to use in the future and a first-hand account of how programs work in different settings.
When Susan McMane was in high school, she probably spent about as much time chanting “two, four, six, eight” as she did singing “do, re, mi.”
This month's 'Meet A Member' celebrates Music In Our Schools Month, which engages communities from around the country in promoting the benefits of high quality music education programs in schools.
