“The Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) is receiving a very high honor from the White House this Tuesday,” reports Katie Crowther on Thursday (11/12) at WTMJ-TV (Milwaukee). “Michelle Obama will be presenting MYSO with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award … given to programs that celebrate the creativity of America’s young people, particularly those from underserved communities. Malik Johnson,16, will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to accept the award. ‘It still hasn’t hit me yet,’ he says. ‘I can’t believe I’m going to be at the White House!’ Malik started playing the cello in the third grade…. He was brought to MYSO through its community outreach program known as Progressions…. ‘I wouldn’t be in music at all if it weren’t for MYSO,’ he says…. He’s planning to go to college, and make a career out of music…. He’s one of dozens of kids from underprivileged neighborhoods that are part of MYSO. ‘When I heard the older kids play, I knew I had to do it,’ says Anastacia Tunson, 9…. Anastacia is learning to play the viola…. ‘I love it,’ she says. ‘It’s a great way to make friends, and it’s a feeling of accomplishment.’ ”
Posted November 16, 2016
