This entry level afterschool program is an outreach program. It introduces students to orchestral and vocal music in a nurturing and musically exciting environment. Students learn the basics of string ensemble playing and how to work with a conductor as well as singing in a choral ensemble.
- How: Program consists of rehearsals and performances. Choral and orchestral rehearsals are weekly; they include sectional coaching by experienced and accomplished professional musicians, full orchestra rehearsal under the direction of Samvel Chilingarian and choral rehearsals. Performances include 3 public concerts per year and community playing opportunities.
- Who: Students grades 1-6 in selected Title I school. Requirement is to be enrolled in the PasadenaLEARNs after school program. No musical background required.
- When: Three 10-week sessions. Weekly rehearsals are Wednesdays and Fridays 3:30-5:30 p.m. for orchestra and Thursdays 3:30-5:30 p.m. for choir, from September to June.
- Tuition: Free; instruments provided.
VYMA Music Project is inspired by El Sistema, the immensely successful model of music education that produced Gustavo Dudamel, now Director of Los Angeles Philharmonic. The Music Project was initiated by VYMA in partnership with Pasadena Unified School District LEARNs. One Title I PUSD school, Longfellow Elementary was selected as a pilot school in 2009. It will be continued in 2010-11 as it proved a success. The program aims to provide very young children with a free systematic and high quality classical music education by creating children/youth orchestras. Given further funding, the program can be expanded to all PUSD elementary after-school programs, and, in the long term, to middle and high school levels.
Benefits of the program: Research indicates that early music instruction has multiple positive benefits on the development of a child (social, academic and musical).
VYMA Music Project is part of a larger effort to create children/youth orchestras by LA Philharmonic in LA County and by the New England Conservatory on a national scale as El Sistema-U.S.A. Children served by VYMA/Longfellow are part of this regional and national network of children/youth orchestras and not simply an isolated music program. The VYMA Music Project at Longfellow put the City of Pasadena on the musical landscape map, joining a growing number of cities across the U.S. and countries around the world in emulating a music program with a profound social impact.
Quick Facts about Longfellow School
- Location: 1065 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA
- Demographics: 78% socioeconomically disadvantaged; 26% English Learners; 26% African American, 60% Latino, 14% White, Asian, Filipino
- Project Partners: VYMA and PasadenaLEARNs
- Participants: 80 Longfellow students, grades 1-6, enrolled in LEARNs. With few exceptions, most have never played an instrument.
- Curriculum: Music theory, music history, orchestra and choir
- Program: 8 hours per week, Mondays and Fridays (6 hours, instrument/orchestra) and Thursdays (2 hours, choir)
- Scope: 2009-2010 is the pilot project at Longfellow Elementary; provided appropriate funding, will expand to other PUSD schools in subsequent years
- Budget: $80,000 for instruction; $25,000 for instruments
- All 80 instruments are provided