Kentucky Symphony Orchestra
P.O. Box 72810
Newport, KY 41072
2021-22 Free Education Outreach Series
Grant Application:
Research shows that arts education fosters the academic and social development of children, which creates well-rounded, Research shows that arts education fosters academic and social development of children, which creates well-rounded, civically aware adults. Approximately 40% of students in Greater Cincinnati are considered economically disadvantaged based on the number receiving free or reduced lunch, and rely on schools to provide the sum of their arts education. The COVID19 pandemic has particularly challenged teachers, schools and art organizations. In order for children to experience the lifelong benefit of early exposure to the arts, and because teachers rely on KSO programs to help fill gaps in their schools’ music curriculum, the KSO will offer all four Education/Outreach programs in-person and/or virtually during 2021-22 school year.
The 2021-22 Education/Outreach Series includes:
•“ Getting to Know You — Halloween Edition” (an introduction to instruments of the orchestra) for grades 3-6
•“ Back in My Day” (a history of the orchestra and its music) for grades 3-6
• Question & Answer Session for grades 3-6, at 10 a.m. on October 26, 2021
•“ Rags to Riches” Concerts for grades 7-12 on February 22, 2022
Goals for the 2021-22 Education Outreach Series are:
1) To introduce and showcase symphonic music and its derivatives to school age students.
2) To provide in person and virtual learning opportunities at no cost to students or their schools.
3) To engage and inspire students though quality repertoire and performance, and assess project effectiveness through surveys, letters and comments.
4) To be rated by teachers at or above the 90th percentile on surveys
5) To reach a total of 3,245 participants (3,100 students and 145 teachers/chaperones) with an average of 50% being economically disadvantaged.
Grant Evaluation Report:
The KSO’s 2021-22 Free Educational Outreach Series goals were met in spite of the on-going pandemic and venue challenges. Overall 37 schools and one social service agency (BWAC) from 26 zip codes participated during the series, with many schools participating in multiple programs. 10 of the 37 schools (27%) were new or first time participants. Participating teacher surveys indicate the impact of these programs; overall:
6) 92.3% claim their students would not have as many high-quality opportunities to experience music if the KSO did not provide the free concerts,
7) 96.2% stated their students learned new musical concepts and language due to the KSO concert, and
8) 100% believe their students’ appreciation of the arts had increased as a result of the KSO program.
During the series 3200 individual students, 162 teachers, 20 musicians, and one guest artist were positively impacted by the project.
Website:
http://www.kyso.org Amount: $35,000
Date: May 2022
