Soundscapes is an El Sistema inspired program, which strives to give students a life steering after-school experience.  Through the program, students will strengthen their self-image, behavioral skills and leadership skills.  Program participants will:

• receive general and instrumental music instruction
• participate in self-esteem building and other types of group social work sessions
• be provided with the opportunity to excel in leadership positions

We have worked with officials within the Newport News Public School system to identify a school to host the pilot program.  We selected Carver Elementary School, a Title I school in Newport News, which out of its 686 students, 491 (71.6%) are considered economically disadvantaged.  The program started on October 5, 2009 and is currently working with approximately 55 students.  The after-school program runs three days a week, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, for 2 hours each day.  We hope that this pilot program will allow us to eventually expand into all localities within Hampton Roads.

2009-2010 Pilot Year Overview

• After the school bell, students will receive a USDA snack.
• Students receive general music instruction that focuses on tonal and rhythmic development.
• Students attend group social skills classes.
• During the second semester, students will be able to explore instrumental tracks.
  
  
  • Wind Instruments - Recorder
  • Strings - Violin
  • Percussion - Tonal/Non-Tonal Instruments (semester long)
• During the Summer Session, students will get to choose which instrument family they would like to join.  This is when students will delve further into each of the instruments within the instrument family, so that they can choose which instrument best suits them.
• Performance is a key component of the program.  Students will perform with and for their own peers and take part in Musical Mentoring Performances.  Soundscapes believes that students should take part in great art from the very beginning of their study. Through Musical Mentor Performances, Soundscapes students will be able to make music side by side with higher achieving musicians. These performances will allow Soundscapes students the opportunity to:
  
  
  • Participate in a level of music making that the students would not otherwise be able to at their current technique level
  • Be inspired by the musicians that they are performing with
  • Formulate achievement goals for themselves