In Monday’s (7/22) El Paso Times (Texas), Virginia Isaad reports, “The El Paso Symphony Orchestra is running an instrument drive for its Tocando program, which provides elementary school children with music education. The program is set to launch in September for first-graders at Hart Elementary.… The pilot course will introduce the students to music through singing and rhythm exercises using paint buckets and drumsticks, eventually moving to instruments, EPSO Director Andy Moran said. ‘The central idea is to provide children with instruction, a chance to perform, and bonds they’ll make in music,’ Moran said. ‘I felt that my community needed this.’… Moran modeled the program after Venezuela’s El Sistema, a music education program that helps underprivileged children through music. With schools trimming fine arts budgets, this free program helps fill the void, Moran said. The El Paso Youth Orchestra will be mentoring students and the program will also include academic tutoring.”
Posted July 24, 2013
