After reading this…
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From: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/11/60minutes/main4009335_page3.shtml#ccmm
We have begun a program somewhat modeled after El Sistema here in Birmingham, AL. In February, we started teaching free music lessons at a local rock club that donated space and after school at Hill Elementary (70+ children!). Recently we began free lessons at the AL Jazz Hall of Fame. I cashed in all my savings to get us started. My partner has donated all his instruments. The results are so wonderful–bringing together people across music genre, zip code, generation, race. Read about it here:
http://metroyo.blogspot.com/ and here:
http://jeane-metroyo.blogspot.com
/
As we await our 501(c)3 determination, we are struggling to find enough instruments and funds to pay our dedicated teachers at least for gas. But the program has proved to be so obviously a way to improve our community that we are determined to do whatever it takes to continue.
Posted by scrollworks at 06:01 AM : Apr 14, 2008
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…I got in touch with Jeane Goforth.
She exemplifies the good ol’ American “CAN DO” attitude that points to a better future for the children of Birmingham, Alabama and wherever else
Jose Antonio Abreu’s innovative ideas get a foothold.
This was her reply:
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I’m just a ‘music mom’ who volunteered one too many times.
Nick, however, is very gifted musically and is an amazing teacher.
We are so passionate about this. I have cashed in all my savings to get
us started (a mere $37,500–I was a stay-at-home mom until just recently).
Funding is a major issue right now as we wait on 501c3 status.
But the effect on our community even after such a short time is so
profound that we’ll do whatever it takes to continue.
When we are in Cave9, a local rock club, with lessons going on in every
corner, with people from all backgrounds, all ages, and all races
connecting with music, I am so excited about the possibilities for true
change.
My vision is to have people think of a youth orchestra with a racial
rainbow of faces when they think of Birmingham instead of the grim past
that always pops into people’s heads now.
Any help and guidance that your organization can give us would be a true
gift.
Thanks again for getting in touch.
–
Jeane Goforth
http://scrollworks.org/
http://www.myorch.org/
http://metroyo.blogspot.com/
http://jeane-metroyo.blogspot.com/
http://blog.al.com/goforth/
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