KidZNotes » Katie’s Blog http://www.kidznotes.org Transforming children's futures through classical, orchestral music Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:32:19 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 KidZNotes Leadership in Los Angeles! http://www.kidznotes.org/2012/02/03/kidznotes-leadership-in-los-angeles/ http://www.kidznotes.org/2012/02/03/kidznotes-leadership-in-los-angeles/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:30:33 +0000 Katie http://www.kidznotes.org/?p=1885

Ten KidZNotes supporters and board members head to Los Angeles on Friday afternoon to attend a sold-out performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 by Gustavo Dudamel, world-renowned Venezuelan conductor and alumnus of El Sistema. The concert will be held at the illustrious Shrine Auditorium, cavernous home of the Emmy and Academy Awards.

Dudamel’s performance of Mahler’s epic, breath-taking, world-crashing “Symphony of a Thousand” incorporates the LA Philharmonic, the LA Master Chorale, the LA Children’s Chorus, and local community choruses in conjunction with El Sistema’s premier national youth orchestra – the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela.

Dudamel often credits El Sistema with his success, having called receiving an El Sistema violin “the best moment of my life.” With El Sistema’s help, he advanced through music conservatories and onto the international stage, where he has enjoyed a sterling reputation since 2004. Los Angeles’ El Sistema-like program, YOLA, is Dudamel’s creation.

Prior to the concert, KidZNotes board chair Elias Torre will lead a dinner discussion to brainstorm the future of KidZNotes. Executive director Katie Wyatt will add valuable insights gleaned from a week at the Take a Stand 2012 Symposium, the first annual national symposium of El Sistema programs. Guests from other El Sistema inspired programs from around the nation may also contribute their ideas.

]]> http://www.kidznotes.org/2012/02/03/kidznotes-leadership-in-los-angeles/feed/ 0 KidZNotes to perform at 11th Annual African American Cultural Celebration http://www.kidznotes.org/2012/01/25/kidznotes-to-perform-at-11th-annual-african-american-cultural-celebration/ http://www.kidznotes.org/2012/01/25/kidznotes-to-perform-at-11th-annual-african-american-cultural-celebration/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:58:54 +0000 Katie http://www.kidznotes.org/?p=1871 Join us at the 11th Annual African American Cultural Celebration at the N.C. Museum of History

Saturday, Jan. 28     11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

KidZNotes performance at 1pm!!

KidZNotes will be performing at the 11th Annual African American Cultural Celebration at the NC Museum of History this Saturday. Join us in celebrating and kicking off Black History Month with other community organizations in the Triangle.

Click here for more information regarding the 11th Annual African American Cultural Celebration.

Artwork by Brandon Boyles

]]> http://www.kidznotes.org/2012/01/25/kidznotes-to-perform-at-11th-annual-african-american-cultural-celebration/feed/ 0 Love is in the Air! http://www.kidznotes.org/2012/01/19/love-is-in-the-air/ http://www.kidznotes.org/2012/01/19/love-is-in-the-air/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:10:20 +0000 Katie http://www.kidznotes.org/?p=1846

Looking for a musical gift for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day? Look no further! Give a gift to the KidZNotes Scholarship Fund in honor of a loved one and receive a personalized Valentine’s Day video from our students.

Here is how it works:
  • Simply make your gift before February 10th, 2012. (There is NO minimum gift required.)
  • Whether you make a gift online, or mail in a check, make sure to include the name and email address of your sweatheart!
  • Include a brief Valentine’s Day message, i.e. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Sally! From Dave”
  • KidZNotes will record video of the KidZNotes students performing and delivering your customized sweetheart message
  • On Valentine’s Day, KidZNotes will send a private and secure link to the video message to your sweatheart for a wonderful suprise!

Make your gift today!

To make a secure donation on-line with PayPal, please click on the DONATE button below.

If you prefer to mail a check, please make it out to “KidZNotes” and mail it to:

KidZNotes
120 Morris St.
Durham, NC 27701


]]> http://www.kidznotes.org/2012/01/19/love-is-in-the-air/feed/ 0 KidZNotes Video http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/12/14/kidznotes-video/ http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/12/14/kidznotes-video/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:37:11 +0000 Katie http://www.kidznotes.org/?p=1813 Check out the newest KidZNotes video and get a behind the scenes look at a student orchestra rehearsal and see what your gift, this holiday season, will support!

]]> http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/12/14/kidznotes-video/feed/ 0 Triangle Christmas Tree Challenge! http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/12/05/triangle-christmas-tree-challenge/ http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/12/05/triangle-christmas-tree-challenge/#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:16:17 +0000 Katie http://www.kidznotes.org/?p=1796 We need your vote for the Triangle Christmas Tree Challenge- we could win $5,000! You can vote once a day, online at http://www.triangletreechallenge.com or by texting “TREE22″ to 46988. Thanks for your support!

This year, with the event of the community tree decorating, we had a chance to involve the children enrolled in KidZNotes. 40 of our 100 K-5th grade students let me know what makes them happy, and what they are grateful for. In the ornaments they created, they let us know that music makes them feel special, that in the orchestra they love being with their friends, that they believe that music and playing is for everyone, and that inclusion is important to them. They told us that by playing music, they are bringing their families together! An important message from 5 year olds. This is what our KidZNotes tree means to us during the holidays, gratitude.

]]> http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/12/05/triangle-christmas-tree-challenge/feed/ 0 KidZNotes Winter Concert – 12/17/11 http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/11/30/kidznotes-winter-concert/ http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/11/30/kidznotes-winter-concert/#comments Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:42:38 +0000 Katie http://www.kidznotes.org/?p=1788 Save the date for our KidZNotes Winter Concert on Saturday December 17th, 2011 at 10:30am. The concert will take place in the Auditorium at the Holton Career and Resource Center, at 401 N. Driver Street, Durham, NC.

Please join us and see what our students have accomplished!

]]> http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/11/30/kidznotes-winter-concert/feed/ 0 A Benefit Concert for KidZNotes http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/11/28/a-benefit-concert-for-kidznotes/ http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/11/28/a-benefit-concert-for-kidznotes/#comments Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:23:56 +0000 Katie http://www.kidznotes.org/?p=1776  

I’m excited to share the news of a benefit concert at Duke University! A good friend of KidZNotes and Duke student, Margaret Williams, has teamed up with our super-star KidZNotes teacher, Sara Moore, to unite the Duke Chamber Players and Riverside High School orchestra in a concert, and they have graciously offered to host it as a benefit for KidZNotes! We hope to have the same great turnout we had this summer for our benefit concert at Duke - so help us spread the word!!

The Benefit Concert will be December 4 at 3 pm, in Page Auditorium, Duke University. 

]]> http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/11/28/a-benefit-concert-for-kidznotes/feed/ 0 KidZNotes Gives Thanks! http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/11/23/kidznotes-gives-thanks/ http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/11/23/kidznotes-gives-thanks/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:40:20 +0000 Katie http://www.kidznotes.org/?p=1768 With Thanksgiving and the holidays right around the corner, we want to thank you for all of your support this year. Your support of KidZNotes allows children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to foster positive self-esteem, critical thinking skills, and excellent decision making skills in the program, the classroom, and ultimately in life. We truly appreciate all that you do to help ensure that our student-musicians have the opportunity to reach their full potential. So this year for Thanksgiving, KidZNotes gives thanks to YOU!
With sincere thanks,
Katie Wyatt
]]> http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/11/23/kidznotes-gives-thanks/feed/ 0 KidZNotes and The Beast at Flanders Gallery http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/11/14/kidznotes-and-the-beast-at-flanders-gallery/ http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/11/14/kidznotes-and-the-beast-at-flanders-gallery/#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:24:07 +0000 Katie http://www.kidznotes.org/?p=1751  

Join hip hop and jazz quartet, The Beast, at Flanders Gallery for a night of jazz, poetry and chamber music – a benefit concert celebrating KidZNotes on Saturday November 19th at 7PM.

The Beast will perform alongside KidZNotes, and youth poetry collective, Sacrificial Poets at Flanders Gallery in Raleigh (302 South West Street). The event is co-hosted by revolutionary jean-smiths, Raleigh Denim and Flanders Gallery.

$10 suggested donation. All proceeds benefit KidZNotes.


 

]]> http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/11/14/kidznotes-and-the-beast-at-flanders-gallery/feed/ 0 KidZNotes Launch and Partnership with NC Symphony! http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/09/13/kidznotes-launch-and-partnership-with-nc-symphony/ http://www.kidznotes.org/2011/09/13/kidznotes-launch-and-partnership-with-nc-symphony/#comments Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:41:06 +0000 Katie http://www.kidznotes.org/?p=1685
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KidZNotes marks its first year by announcing an exciting new partnership with the North Carolina Symphony. The two organizations will celebrate together at KidZNotes’ launch ceremony this Saturday, September 17 at 10:30 am, at the Holton Career and Resource Center at 401 N. Driver St. in Durham, NC.
—
KidZNotes, which is modeled after Venezuela’s highly successful El Sistema program, uses the transformational power of classical music to help build new futures for children, targeting those who would otherwise be blocked by economic and social barriers. Established last year in East Durham, KidZNotes enriches the lives elementary school students and their families through music. Participants in the program learn to play violin and receive free orchestra training in a safe environment that emphasizes fun, joy and teamwork in learning as well as musical accomplishment.
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Presenting and supporting an extensive education program for North Carolina schoolchildren has always been a major priority of the North Carolina Symphony and through this collaboration the organization will offer its education and community engagement concerts and programs free of charge to KidZNotes students and their families.
—
Scott Lindroth, Vice Provost of the Arts for Duke University and David Reese, head of the East Durham Children’s Initiative will join North Carolina Symphony President and CEO Sandi Macdonald, Director of Education Jessica Nalbone, and Principal Cellist Bonnie Thron as special guests. KidZNotes students will receive their new instruments and the kick-off will conclude with an informal reception.
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Executive Director for KidZNotes Katie Wyatt says, “We’re thrilled about this important opportunity for our students. In Venezuela’s El Sistema, the youth orchestras there have a deep relationship with some of the best orchestras and conductors in the world. The North Carolina Symphony is home to the best musicians and conductors in our state, and attracts world-class artists from the international community. Through an intense practice of classical music, we’re teaching them they can do and be anything.”
—
“The North Carolina Symphony is proud to partner with KidZNotes and support this new initiative in Durham,” says NCS Education Director Jessica Nalbone. “Through this partnership, we intend to offer access to the span of our educational programming, ensuring opportunities for underserved populations that will foster a lifelong love for and involvement in classical music. This is the start of an exciting venture, and one which aligns wholly with our orchestra’s mission to serve North Carolina’s students through music.”
—

About KidZNotes:

KidZNotes is expanding in its second year to enroll 100 students in need at four low-income
schools in East Durham: Eastway Elementary, Y.E. Smith Elementary, E.K. Powe Elementary,
and Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet Elementary. KidZNotes provides instruments and
nearly ten hours a week of free music instruction for their 100 students. KidZNotes is sponsored
by Duke University, Durham Public Schools, Durham Parks and Recreation, the Durham Arts
Council, and the East Durham Children’s Initiative. KidZNotes is inspired by El Sistema, the
social-reform orchestra program for children and families in poverty in Venezuela. Information
about KidZNotes’ calendar and opportunities for support will be available at the event, and are
listed at http://www.kidznotes.org. Donations of financial support and musical instruments will be
gratefully received.

About the North Carolina Symphony:

Founded in 1932, the North Carolina Symphony performs over 175 concerts annually to adults
and school children. The orchestra travels extensively throughout the state to venues in over 50
North Carolina counties. Under the artistic leadership of Music Director and Conductor Grant
Llewellyn, Resident Conductor William Henry Curry and Associate Conductor Sarah Hicks, the
orchestra employs 67 professional musicians.

Based in downtown Raleigh’s spectacular Meymandi Concert Hall at the Progress Energy Center
for the Performing Arts and an outdoor summer venue at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary,
N.C., the Symphony performs about 60 concerts annually in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill
and Cary metropolitan area. It also holds concerts in Fayetteville, New Bern, Southern Pines,
Wilmington and many other North Carolina communities throughout the year.

For tickets, program notes, podcasts—or just to get to know your Symphony’s musicians—
visit the North Carolina Symphony Web site at www.ncsymphony.org. Call North Carolina
Symphony Audience Services at 919.733.2750 or toll free 877.627.6724.

 

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