Playback - Spring 2008 - (Page 29)

A Little Day Music “It’s never too late to pick up an instrument,” says Caryn Fraime, director of adult programs and senior outreach at the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C. The school’s “A Little Day Music” program, which is funded in part by NAMM, teaches 1,000 adults— including 250 senior citizens—beginning music theory, voice and how to play a musical instrument. Started by Lisa Shaw, the former director of adult programs at Levine, most of the classes are offered during daytime hours to make it easy for retirees to participate. Students attend weekly classes at one of the school’s four locations and take part in orchestra, a noontime string orchestra, voice ensembles or the New Horizons Band. “We are packing them in as tightly as we can!” Fraime says. “ … The “Some [people] enthusiasm is contagious.” Players and singers have various musical backgrounds, from beginner to experienced. Many also enroll in individual lessons to improve their playing abilities for the group. “It’s a great intro back into music,” Fraime notes. “Some [people] played in high school and some are picking up a new instrument because they want to learn something new.” played in high school and some are picking up a new instrument because they want to learn something new.” Another musical highlight is “MusicaliTea,” an hour-long recital put on several times a year by the Levine school children, faculty and seniors who perform for senior citizens in their local communities. The seniors are bussed in from their assisted living centers to enjoy music, tea and sweets. “Many of those who live in assisted living are thrilled to get out and meet new people,” Fraime explains. “It’s a real social outing for them.” For more information about the “A Little Day Music” program and “MusicaliTea,” visit www.levineschool.org. A Progressive Donation WoNDERING WhAT To GIVE hIS MuSIC TEAChERS FoR ThE holIDAyS, PRoGRESSIVE MuSIC’S MARk DESPoTAkIS CAME uP WITh AN INSPIRED IDEA. As an advocate for music education, Mark Despotakis wanted to share the holiday spirit in a way that was meaningful for everyone on his staff. He decided to donate in his employees’ names to a music-related charity, choosing to contribute to the NAMM Foundation. As the association’s non-profit entity, the Foundation funds a variety of grants and research projects designed to identify the inherent benefits of music making and to increase active participation in music across the lifespan. “Progressive Music thought this donation—on behalf of the teachers who are in the schools that we serve on a daily basis—would be important to the fight for the survival of music education locally, as well as nationally,” says Mark. “The NAMM Foundation’s work and the research it funds are crucial in reinforcing what we all know: Music is vital for every child’s education.” For more information about the NAMM Foundation’s efforts or how you can donate, please call 800-767-6266 or e-mail sandraj@namm.org. SPRING 2008 29 http://www.levineschool.org http://www.nammfoundation.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Playback - Spring 2008

Playback - Spring 2008 Contents From the President NAMM Events Music in the News Bringing Recreational Music Making to Iraq Commercial Retail Reps in the Field New Domestic Members International Washington Watch NAMM Foundation Music Notes Resources Viewpoint

Playback - Spring 2008

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