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Some Salt Lake students and teachers are pulling strings to save their one-of-a-kind violin program.
The program has helped a decade of students learn more than just music, and now they're hoping this isn't their final act.
They rehearse not for any recital, but on a campaign to win over hearts through music. Students will feel a sense of accomplishment, as they perform next week at Abravanel Hall.
"DANIEL GALLARDO/STUDENT: IT'D BE THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE."
"KARILYNN MALLADO: IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD INSIDE."
| **Jackson Elementary "Spring String Fling" Fundraiser to Save the Music Program** Students in Grades 3 to 6 performing with guest artists Michael Ballam, Tenor and Erich Graf, Flutist Tuesday, June 3 at 7:00 pm Abravanel Hall Tickets $8.00 available at Abravanel Hall and Capitol Theatre Ticket Offices or call 355-ARTS |
But along with applause, they hope for funding, to save a music program that's run out of grants and donors. "GABRIELA PIMENTEL/STUDENT: I'LL BE REALLY SAD IF WE DON'T RAISE ENOUGH MONEY AND WE STOP PLAYING THE VIOLIN."
For a decade, teachers at Jackson Elementary have offered at-risk children a unique opporuntity.
"TRISH WADE/JACKSON ELEMENTARY: THIS PROGRAM IS UNIQUE IN THE COUNTRY AS FAR AS WE KNOW IN THAT EVERY SINGLE CHILD PLAYS THE VIOLIN."
Amid poverty and language barriers, students have come to love classical music.
"Harold Troung/Student: MY FAVORITE MUSIC IS CANON, CANON II, ODE TO JOY, THE LION'S LEAP AND THE PROVON. Q:I DIDN';T HEAR YOU SAY BRITTANY SPEARS, YOU LIKE THIS EVEN MORE? YES, BECAUSE I'M PLAYING IT."
There are a lot of good programs at Jackson, and granted, the violins are one not on a larger scale. But the results are so impressive, they'd be music to the ears of any parent.
Since the program started math scores have gone up 38-percent. Reading scores up 26-percent. And writing scores far exceed other schools in their area.
"CAROL STORR/JACKSON ELEMENTARY: "OUR WRITING TEST SCORES THIS YEAR AND I BELIEVE LAST YEAR WERE COMPARABLE TO SCHOOLS ON THE EAST SIDE, WHICH WE WERE VERY PROUD OF."
Supporters say progress like that shows the power of education in arts.
"ERICH GRAF/FLUTIST/UTAH SYMPHONY: THE ARTS SORT OF DEFINE CIVILIZATION AND CIVILIZATION DISTINGUISHES MAN FROM THE ANIMAL."
