The Atlanta Music Project to Provide a 5-day-week Symphony Orchestra and Choir Program Aimed at At-Risk Youth

The timing couldn’t be better for the arrival of The Atlanta Music Project, a groundbreaking youth music program that will be rolling out in October 2010 as part of the City of Atlanta’s Culture Club Program.

“With all the cutbacks in public school budgets and the elimination of music and choir programs, we are pleased to be able to give Atlanta’s youth an opportunity to explore music in a way that that will have a lasting impact on their lives,” said Dantes Rameau, Executive Director of the Atlanta Music Project.

Atlanta’s Culture Club is a new after school program that will offer students an opportunity to experience cultural activities that will contribute to their growth and development. “It is our firm belief that access to cultural experiences greatly contributes to the overall development of students,” said Office of Cultural Affairs Director Camille Russell Love. The Culture Club program offers homework and tutoring assistance and cultural activities in the areas of Art, Theatre, Dance and Music.

Last month, the City of Atlanta announced that it was going to offer The Atlanta Music Project’s youth orchestral training program as part of its Culture Club program. The city also announced that Coca-Cola would be a major contributor for delivering The Atlanta Music Project’s program. This funding along with the recent success of the organization’s online fundraiser on Kickstarter.com will provide seed funds for instruments, sheet music and teachers.

The Atlanta Music Project’s mantra is “Music for Social Change”. The organization’s goal is to transform the lives of at-risk youth through an intense program of classical orchestral training. The program was inspired by El Sistema, the Venezuelan orchestral training program that has transformed the lives of over a million children in the last thirty-five years. Like El Sistema, The Atlanta Music Project uses the practice and performance of ensemble music to develop confidence, creativity and ambition in its students.

The program’s Executive Director, Dantes Rameau will be on hand to lead the program. He is a member of the inaugural graduating class of the Abreu Fellows Program, a prestigious post-graduate fellowship at the New England Conservatory, which trains musicians to lead El Sistema-inspired programs. Dantes will be working alongside music teachers and youth mentors to deliver this transformative program.

The Atlanta Music Project will be offered at the historic Gilbert House, which dates back to 1865 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The program is scheduled to launch during the first week of October.

Atlanta Music Project Program Details:

  • The Atlanta Music Project will be offered to children in grades 1 – 8. There are 40-50 spots available.
  • The program takes place at The Gilbert House, 2238 Perkerson Road, SW, Atlanta 30315.
  • The program runs from Monday – Friday, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM and includes homework and tutoring assistance followed by music instruction.
  • Music instruction will be offered in the following areas: Orchestra, Choir, Group Lessons, Musicianship, African Drum and Dance. Instrument group lessons for violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, clarinet, trombone and trumpet will be available.
  • The fees are $65 per week for City of Atlanta residents and $110 for non-residents. Financial assistance and/or fee waivers are available based on family income.
  • To register call (404) 766-9049 or email ajfavors@atlantaga.gov.

POST CREDIT:
Read original press release found on the Atlanta Daybook Network website