Bridges–Music for Baltimore's Children

The Bridges Program is fully titled:

"Musical ABCs–Access, Bridges, and Continuing studies"

Believing that music truly opens doors and that every child should have the opportunity to experience making music, the Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra Association developed Bridges with the following Mission and Goals:

MISSION

The mission of the Bridges Program is to reach a large, currently underserved and at-risk population of students in Baltimore City, giving those children equal access to high-quality string education experiences without respect to financial circumstances.

GOALS

• To give students a valuable tool to expand opportunities for creativity and self-expression, cooperative learning, academic success, and self-esteem.
• To engage students at an early age and to support their musical training, offering them quality instruction, instruments, and a full range of orchestral experiences. The GBYO and other Baltimore music institutions will benefit from the diversity these students embody as they continue with their music instruction.
• To serve as an impetus to start or expand opportunities to study music, particularly stringed instruments, within the Baltimore City public school system, and to stimulate development of specific training for music teachers for inner-city populations, ensuring long-term success of the program.
• To create a program in partnership with other City institutions that addresses the mission without either duplication of efforts or competition. The cooperation of organizations can bring in larger community participation which will ensure the longevity and enhance the integrity of the programs as well as broaden the base of potential funding resources.
• To become a model for similar programs in other cities.

PARTNERSHIPS

• The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg YMCA
• 33rd Street
• Franciscan Youth Center (Sandi McFadden, Executive Director)
• Waverly Elementary School
• Child First Authority (Carol Reckling, Executive Director)
• Govans Elementary School
• Calvin Rodwell Elementary School

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Weekly Class Lessons

• 6 students per class, grouped by instrument;
• Twice weekly 50-minute classes;
• Uniform curriculum, developed specifically for this program, guided by Maryland State Standards in Elementary Music;
• Teachers selected for abilities to work with inner-city children as well as skill as string specialists;
• Students will have practice time available during the week on the days they do not have classes.

Weekly Orchestra Rehearsal

• Conducted by teachers from class lessons;
• Total meeting time is 90 minutes, which includes
• Time for orchestra rehearsal
• Time set aside for other musical activities;
• Van transportation is being explored to remove barriers to weekend attendance.

Additional Program Features

• Students in the program will have opportunities to
• Attend live orchestral performances
• Have musicians visit their classes
• Perform for their families and friends at the end of the year;
• The program runs for 26 weeks during the school year, plus a summer session.

PROGRAM EVALUATION

Specific measurable outcomes, as guided by the Maryland State Standards, will include:

1. The student will demonstrate the ability to perceive, perform, and respond to music. Students will identify a variety of musical sounds and elements; read standard notation; and perform with a group.
2. The student will demonstrate an understanding of music as an essential aspect of history and human experience. Students will attend live performances of other musical groups, both large and small, and have the opportunity to discuss the experiences during their class lessons, relating what they have heard to how it reflects social, political, and ethical issues, its historical context, and how it relates to the other arts. They will learn appropriate audience behavior and will see music as a career choice.
3. The student will demonstrate the ability to organize musical ideas and sounds creatively. Students will explore musical ideas through simple improvisations and will create simple compositions and arrangements.
4. The student will demonstrate the ability to make aesthetic judgments. Students will discuss their musical preferences; they will become aware of the elements of a good performance such as playing in tune, proper rhythm, and musical expression.

To be sure that the various partners involved as well as teachers and administrators have input into the effectiveness of the delivery of the program, the GBYO and Bridges instructors will work with participating partners to develop specific guidelines as the individual instructional locations and teachers are identified. At the end of each semester for at least the first two years of the program, and annually after that, an Outcomes Evaluation will be conducted to be sure that the goals we have established for the program are appropriate and are being met.