In Friday’s (3/16) Arizona Republic (Phoenix), Eugene Scott writes, “The Phoenix Symphony is expanding its education-outreach programs despite limited resources. The downtown Phoenix-based non-profit added two schools from the Paradise Valley Unified School District to this year’s Classical Concert Series performances. The symphony performed at Greenway Middle and Grayhawk Elementary schools last week. … The Classical Concert Series will appear at 33 Valley schools this year—up from 22 last school year. The Phoenix Symphony String and Brass and Percussion Ensembles will reach nearly 10,000 students at 12 schools in March and April as part of the series. … Nearly 80 schools applied for the series. ‘We have way more demand than we’re able to meet. That’s basically due to the fact that we need more funding to reach more kids in the classroom,’ said Jim Ward, president and CEO of the symphony. ‘They’re very successful programs. A lot schools and classrooms would love for us to come visit them.’ Most of the schools, including Greenway Middle, are Title I schools, with a large percentage of students from low-income households. Many of these schools don’t have music programs.”
Posted March 19, 2012
