Boston Symphony Orchestra Launches Education Program
The Boston Symphony Orchestra began a pilot program called the Academy School Initiative at an elementary school in Brighton, Massachusetts, in October, reports the Boston Globe. The project, which is underwritten by the the global financial services company UBS, provides students in kindergarten through eighth grade with general music classes, instrumental music instruction, singing classes, a string ensemble, and a band program. Students in grades six through eight will be offered performing arts classes aimed toward musical theatre and smaller ensembles for chamber music and jazz.
School Superintendent Carol R. Johnson said, “We know that students are more likely to achieve at high levels in the classroom if they have music and arts opportunities available to them. We are so proud to collaborate with the BSO and UBS to ensure our students are exposed to arts in a meaningful and thoughtful manner.’’
www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2010/10/05/bso_school_team_up_for_music_education/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed5
Crossover May Be More Popular Than You Think
Sales of recorded crossover classical music are booming, according to the Washington Post. The recordings feature such artists as Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Katherine Jenkins, the Canadian Tenors, Sting in his classically oriented Symphonicities, and Renée Fleming in her indie-rock incarnation Dark Hope. Basically, crossover involves either classical artists exploring other forms of music, or non-classical artists making a foray into classical music. Both types of this genre have found large audiences among today’s music lovers.
Many younger artists are finding that they are not completely hemmed in by the boundaries of classical music and, like Fleming, record some music of another genre.
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/01/AR2010100103179.html?wprss=rss_print/style
Violinist Jumps to His Death
“Jumping off the GW Bridge. Sorry.” Those were the last recorded words of 18-year-old violinist Tyler Clementi who committed suicide at the end of September by jumping off the George Washington Bridge, which joins New York and New Jersey. His decision to end his life was prompted by the discovery that his college roommate had surreptitiously filmed him during a sexual encounter with another man and allowed the video to be seen by fellow students.
Clementi’s roommate and friend responsible for the videotaping have both been charged with two counts of invasion of privacy. New Jersey’s attorney general is considering whether to pursue bias crimes charges as well. Following Clementi’s death, there has been a tremendous outpouring of condolences, including a wide-spread video plea for more tolerance from Ellen DeGeneres.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8038794/Tyler-Clementi-empty-seat-at-suicide-students-orchestra-debut.html
