As Arts and Music budgets are being cut across our country, opportunities for creativity and inspiration are shrinking. Our President has endorsed and encouraged the creation of an artists corp to invest in our local communities as a national priority. Da Capo shares this vision and believes that musicians can and will make a difference in these troubling times. We have taken our ideas and put them into practice here in Virginia and NOW. President John F. Kennedy said, “The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, a distraction, in the life of a nation is close to the center of a nation’s purpose—and is a test of the quality of a nation’s civilization.” Music has to be recognized as an ... agent of social development in the highest sense, because it transmits the highest values -- solidarity, harmony, mutual compassion. And it has the ability to unite an entire community and to express sublime feelings. -- José Antonio Abreu The inclusion of our innovative and trailblazing special needs music class (VIVO) in the Da Capo musical community has been recognized locally and nationally and the word continues to spread. Our concerts and events provide opportunities for hundreds of people to interact and grow as both students and performers in venues from the McGuire VA hospital to Morningside’s Alzheimer Unit, to more traditional performances in the sanctuaries and worship services of our partnering facilities. Our musicians interact weekly in lessons, rehearsals, studio classes, and coachings to build the skills necessary for such demanding events. In the last year alone, Da Capo presented workshops, clinics, classes and assistance to Henrico County and Chesterfield County Public Schools impacting over 500 students. In the future we are hoping to do much, much more. For that growth, and to continue our difficult work, we need your support now. Students and faculty have shared countless stories and experiences which inspire and sustain us all. Below are a few selected quotes/moments: “Vivo is so neat because it’s not a music therapy class,The organization sees children with special needs as wanting to make music just as much as children with-out special needs” -- faculty “My son went from covering his ears to a smiling and happy participant. Why, I was even told he has become a Leader...” -- parent “...it all started when my piano teacher told me to write a song. So I did....right now, all that really matters, is that I’m here today with all of you and I’m playing a song I wrote and I’m proud of that.” -- student “Writing as an interested and musically-oriented dad. It has been great to see Catherine feel her music, rather than just mechanically punch-the-keys. Making that move to a different plane has been great. The environment lets her enthusiasm really roll—a great match for her” -- parent “I wish I had the Da Capo approach during my early years of development. I would have progressed faster, with less effort, and developed those all important interpersonal skills earlier in life.” -- parent “Da Capo instructors... showed a genuine love for working with young people. I am particularly impressed that they offer music instruction for children with special needs.-- Swift Creek Middle School, CCPS“ “I particularly enjoyed the opening fall concert of Da Capo during which the children of the audience stood around the organ to watch the pedal solo. Their curiosity and wonder at the instrument and my ability to demonstrate it yielded one of the more fulfilling performance experiences of my life. Even if none of those children take organ or become interests, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to share my gift and skill in that particular manner.” -- faculty “...she was impressed to hear that sharing music with the community in this way is part of the foundation of our mission. Sarah commented that in particular regard to nursing home concerts, how gracious it was of us to provide through music, a time of encouragement and solace to the often-forgotten nursing home community.” -- staff We will continue to make a difference in our community and world and look forward to counting you as a special contributor to music and the arts “in communities”. Sincerely Yours, Jeff Prillaman, President Board of Directors
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 13:40:58 +0000
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