The Department of Music at Alabama State University has been awarded a $20,000 Alabama Arts Education Initiative grant from the Alabama State Department of Education.
The grant funds will enable ASU, in conjunction with its Zelia Stephens Early Childhood Learning Center and the Montgomery Public Schools (MPS), to begin offering music enrichment programs designed for pre-k, elementary, middle, and high school students in the MPS system.
The enrichment programs will include pre-k music instruction (ages 3-5); group piano studies (ages 6-12); instrumental and vocal music lessons (ages 13-18); and a new summer music camp for middle school band and choral students.
All of the enrichment programs will take place on the campus of Alabama State University at various times throughout the year.
The grant was initiated by ASU's coordinator of music education studies, Dr. Michael Zelenak, a national board certified teacher.
"The enrichment programs will raise awareness of the benefits of music education and focus attention on the need to support music programs in the public schools," said Zelenak.
The programs are a community outreach initiative by ASU and an attempt to link the campus to the surrounding community through musical arts.
"The benefits of music education are extraordinary and studies have consistently shown the positive effect music education has on a child’s academic performance, sense of community, self-expression and self-esteem," said Christine Moore, choral director at MPS's Johnnie Carr Middle School.
For more information about the ASU Music for Children programs, please contact the ASU Music Office at (334) 229-4341.
Additional information on the grant may be obtained from ASU's Dr. Michael Zelenak, 334-229-4141. More information on the new summer music camp may be obtained from Dr. Katrina Phillips, camp coordinator, 334-229-5725.
News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
Posted By: How May I Help You NC
Friday, April 22nd 2016 at 12:15PM
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