“Music in Your World”

An ESO/Head Start Collaboration

Demonstrating its commitment to quality music education for children at the earliest level, ESO in 2006 launched a new program in conjunction with Evanston District 65 Head Start. The program, entitled “Music in Your World,” seeks to ignite students’ interest in music and heighten their awareness about sounds they can create either with their voice, or by striking, scraping, or blowing something. The program targets approximately 150 children, ages 3-5, who participate in District 65’s Head Start program. These children are largely from disadvantaged, at-risk backgrounds, where access to music education is unlikely. Over 90% of this group is at or below federal poverty guidelines. The intended impact of this program is to awaken an interest in music early in life and engage students in a positive, creative activity they can enjoy throughout their lives.

Practically speaking, classes are lead by a Music Professional, Charles Taylor, supported by ESO orchestra and board members. In 2006, ESO planned three different sessions during the school year plus a “Music Night” at the conclusion of the program. To accommodate all of the students, each session is presented 9 times (approximately 17 students per class) over a 3-day period. Each session focuses on a different aspect of music beginning with Session 1—“Voice,” followed by Session 2—“Percussion” (things you hit to make sounds), and Session 3—“Strings” (things you scrape). Songs and musical concepts (i.e., allegro/andante, piano/forte) introduced in Session 1 are reviewed and reinforced in subsequent sessions. Sessions 2 and 3 will feature interaction with orchestra members giving students the chance to touch and play actual percussion and stringed instruments.

As in all of its outreach programs, ESO is dedicated to quality. The Music Professional, who actually teaches each session, providing continuity for the program, is pursuing a musical career himself and has extensive prior experience working with children. Our goals for this program are consistent with Illinois State Arts Education goals. After each session we request the Head Start teachers and any other interested observers to help us assess the program by completing an assessment form. Forms are then summarized and tabulated. Our Music Professional also prepares a summary report following each session and a final report at the end of the school year. Further information about the evaluation process and our results is available by contacting us.

Writing of the need for this program and its importance to the community, Roseann Palermo, District 65 Head Start Specialist has said “…continued funding of this collaboration between the Evanston Symphony Orchestra and District 65 Head Start says to the community that exposure to the arts ought to be a fundamental right of every child, not just those who can afford private lessons. It would also be a message to this community within a community (Head Start population) that they and their children are important and valued and deserve a quality experience like the one this collaboration provides.” Ms. Palermo’s philosophy is consistent with the mission of ESO.