Beating the Drum for Youth In Music
What sounds amazing, plays funky music and glows in the dark? The CSO Percussion Scholarship Group, of course. On Wednesday, the CSO Percussion Scholarship Group played a piece called "Stinky Garbage" to a rapt crowd of Chicago public school students. The lights were dimmed in Orchestra Hall, and the full ensemble stood across the width of the stage striking what must have been every timbre possible from luminous metal garbage cans. The one-hour program was free of charge to CPS school groups, and included various other classic orchestral and contemporary pieces.
The Percussion Scholarship Group, led by CSO percussionist Patsy Dash and Lyric Opera Orchestra percussionist Doug Wadell, annually invites young students to apply for full scholarships to train in the ensemble, which regularly performs all over Chicago, including Orchestra Hall.
Wednesday's concert was offered as a part of the biennial Chicago Youth in Music Festival, co-sponsored by the Institute for Learning, Access and Training and 15 Chicagoland music schools. The goal of the Festival is "to extend and deepen ongoing musical training for youth by providing opportunities for young people from different Chicago communities- and from around the world- to come together and make music." The 2013 Festival runs from January 14th through February 4th, offering music events free of charge at Orchestra Hall and across the Chicago area.
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Do you know a 3rd or 4th grader who would like to become a member of the Percussion Scholarship Group? Every Spring, invitations to apply are sent to CPS schools. Click to learn more at http://percussionscholars.com/. Or, call the Institute for Learning, Access and Training at 312-294-3410 to learn more today!