WAY TO GO MYO!!!

The Metropolitan Youth Orchestra’s reputation as a vibrant, valued and recognized community resource is growing and we should all feel proud!!! Reflecting on the events and happenings of this month, I am humbled by the incredible work of our MYO students and families! So much has occurred over the last 4 weeks and I believe it warrants some attention and applause! Congratulations!!

Just to recap…

Did you see the write up and picture in the Indy Star THIS Sunday? MYO was well presented by several students, MYO alums and teachers at a major ISO fundraiser called On Stage! designed to raise funds for the ISO’s education and outreach programs.



This month we saw the launching of the Indianapolis Arts Council’s campaign for the arts promoting a safer city, a stronger economy and a vibrant community. I think we are all aware of the transformative power of the arts on our young people and the MYO program has been featured as a model program. To learn more about how you can help promote funding for the arts, visit - www.whattheartsmean.org.

Also, as proud as we are - our very own Betty Perry was honored by the Coalition for 100 Black Women as a “2009 Breakthrough Award” winner on June 6 at a special ceremony held at the Madame Walker Theatre! Way to go Ms. Perry!



If that wasn’t enough, you’ve likely heard about the concert at the Hilbert Circle Theatre with Grammy Award Winner and Playhouse Disney regular Dan Zanes and Friends. Dan Zanes was so taken with MYO that he’s making a donation in honor of MYO!! (Next time you see Ms. Perry, just call her the “Dancing Conductor” as Zanes called her!!)

MYO is being recognized by many for its work with youth in our community and this program would not be successful today without the excellent, cooperative work of our parents, teachers and leader Ms. Perry!

WAY TO GO!!!

Jazzin' It Up!!!

Yesterday I dropped by Broad Ripple HS. Some of the MYO students are a part of the Philharmonic of Indianapolis' education program called Strings and Jazzy Things camp and I wanted to check in on our kids!

I came at a good time... about 45 minutes before lunch! No, but seriously, I sat in a strings workshop with Monika Herzig and her band as she taught the kids the basics of improv. She began with blues scale, blues patterns and basslines and followed up with two pieces - Harry "Sweets" Edison's Centerpiece and a little Duke Ellington C-Jam Blues. Keiryn and Aren from MYO both had that Edison melody stuck in their heads for the rest of the day! Here's a pic (below) as they're plucking out the melody.

What The Arts Mean To Me...

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO @ MYO!

http://whattheartsmean.org/share-videos/126-the-arts-mean-a-safer-city.html

What do the arts mean to you???

Zanes and MYO Friends... May 31 in Concert

Members of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra filed back into the ISO’s Large Rehearsal Hall just after 12:30 PM on Sunday following a morning rehearsal with the Disney Playhouse famed band Dan Zanes and Friends. The youth orchestra was invited to perform with the popular children’s music band on their Indianapolis concert at the Hilbert Circle Theatre.

“What is wrong with your hair?” Markeisha Laswell asked of the Grammy Award winning child music star Dan Zanes when he stopped by the rehearsal hall for a quick hello after the morning rehearsal. Justice Vaughn then grabbed the opportunity to ask how he gets his hair to look like that. Zanes’ eyes widened as he quipped with “I use a little bees wax and my man claws.” Surprised, the two 10 year olds ran to the other side of the room giggling.

Shortly thereafter, Elena Moon Park from the band invited the orchestra to play on the concert’s finale, Bye, Bye, Roseanna – a piece they had not rehearsed. She had no sheet music in hand for the orchestra’s director, Ms. Perry - only her ukulele as she plucked out a short series of notes. The kids picked the little diddly up and added it to their set. Very cool! Hey, like the professionals!