Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.
–Plato
Claire Ramirez, Band Director at Falcon Cove Middle School, heard about a program from the South Florida Symphony Orchestra called Instrument Fittings from other band directors and wanted her students to experience this program.
The program is designed to increase access to quality music education while supporting the needs of individual schools and their music educators. Professional Symphony in the Schools teaching artists provide services including instrument fittings. This allows the students to actually learn about and play a variety of instruments to pique their interest in music in preparation for high school opportunities such as band participation. As of now, the Symphony in the Schools is doing these programs in 6 area middle schools.
The program is designed to increase access to quality music education while supporting the needs of individual schools and their music educators. Bringing professional musicians directly to students provides additional support without creating transportation or financial barriers for families.
Ramirez says this is the second year her students have participated. She notes, “The fittings through the South Florida Symphony with the support of the Weston Music Society means so much! This really excites the students and seeing so many people invested in their success from the beginning really sets the tone for the beginners. We are able to start instruments sooner and they have been so engaged in class.”
A student commented, “It was fun! I was able to learn about new instruments that I didn’t know, like the Euphonium.”
Christy Blackford and Gina Catone, Co-Chairs of the Weston Music Society Education Committee, have seen the program in action and how eager and excited the students are and how much the interaction with professional musicians means to them. The two agree, “We are delighted to help Falcon Cove bring this musical opportunity to their students”.
Lou Marett, WMS President, DDED, said, “We are happy to be part of this experience that brings the joy and love of music to children.”
