SOUNDSCAPES NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 2009

Soundscapes has been taking wonderful strides over the past couple of months at Carver Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia and we are very excited to be able to share the progress of the program with you as it takes place!

In this issue:

• Program Snapshot 
• Recruiting Event
• Virginia Symphony Family Concert
• Start Making Right Choices Now
• Spotlight: Anne Henry, Co-Founder
• Holiday Event
• Call to Action

PROGRAM SNAPSHOT

While there is a strong emphasis on the musical progression of participants, it is important to remember that above all Soundscapes is a social change program. Using positive reinforcement and the skills inherent in music making, Soundscapes strives to instill a sense of self-worth while underlining personal responsibility and the ability to make decisions for one's self. The 64 students currently participating in the program have already:

• Attended the "Instrumental Petting Zoo", where they satisfied their curiosity about orchestral instruments with a hands-on approach
• Had the opportunity to attend a performance by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, Virginia to hear music featured in the Harry Potter series
• Learned behavioral expectations for the program (Levels A, B, C, D)
• Create and perform music by working together as a group

RECRUITING EVENT (Instrumental Petting Zoo)
During the Petting Zoo students were encouraged to explore the sights and sounds of many different instruments. This was held during a regular school day at Carver Elementary. The interest in Soundscapes was generated directly through the hands-on exploration of the instruments. This was a wonderful recruitment tool that sparked the interest of many! Soundscapes sent registration forms out to parents via these excited children and most were returned the very next day. It is easy to see through these captivating photos that participating children were completely captured by these instruments. Thank you to Music and Arts in helping create a life-changing day for these 1st graders by providing instruments and volunteers.

VIRGINIA SYMPHONY FAMILY CONCERT TRIP

On Sunday November 8, 2009 Soundscapes participants and their families were invited to take a trip to Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, Virginia to see the Virginia Symphony Orchestra perform. This concert was a Family Series that featured music from Harry Potter. It was a wonderful opportunity for the participants to wear their "Sunday's Best" and to enjoy a beautiful afternoon out and about in Hampton Roads. Once the concert concluded the Soundscapes children were able to visit the conductor in his "green room". This was something the children had been looking forward to for weeks! They were able to ask questions such as: "What is that box you stand on when you wave your wand around?" - Jared Keith (1st grader at Carver Elementary School). The conductor entertained the Soundscapes Children's inquisitive nature! It was a huge success. The excitement amongst the families and children that attended the concert was undeniable. It is moments like these when you know that inspiration was achieved.

START MAKING RIGHT CHOICES NOW
Since Soundscapes' mission is social change the institution of Start Making Right Choices Now has begun. This is a process by which the children are engaged in the understanding of group dynamics and levels of behavior that accompany group dynamics, this also includes an individual's behavior. The model is as follows:

• Level A - Anarchy
• Level B - Bullying/Bothering
• Level C - Cooperation
• Level D - Democracy

While these terms at first glance might appear to be complex constructs that a child in first grade might not fully be able to grasp, this is not so. Soundscapes has successfully introduced these concepts and facilitated an understanding of their meanings in the program. Each child is coming to understand that their days are full of choices and it is always from within that they will make "right choices".

SPOTLIGHT: ANNE HENRY, CO-FOUNDER
Recently Soundscapes asked Anne Henry a few questions about the program.

SS: What inspired you to help to create such a program as Soundscapes?

AH: Obviously, I have been super impressed by the success of the El Sistema program in Venezuela and was very motivated to contribute to a similar USA effort -- locally would be most meaningful because it's my hometown region and we have evident gang problems, or elsewhere in the US-- because it seemed so possible, so universal, so inclusive, and so scalable. And the joy that is evident in the youth orchestras in Venezuela is irresistible. But, I would never have taken the plunge to actually initiate a program here without the enthusiastic encouragement of Jaime Austria, a notable voicepiece of El Sistema NYC, who has been a fantastic networker and cheerleader among individual and international efforts to expand the concept of social change through music. He made it seem very possible, connected me with everyone in the world, literally, that he knew who was trying something similar, and we've had the very good luck to find a number of excellent people and circumstances to make it happen here (at least at a pilot level!) It is very exciting to know that we are among the "early adaptors" in the US, along with big players in Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Miami, and a few outliers like us in the smaller communities. And Rey (Rey Ramirez, Soundscapes' Program Director) is taking a leadership role in the US development of El Sistema-type programs in terms of defining testing and measurements of achievements - social, academic, creative, and musical - within this kind of program. We've had wonderful support from Christopher Newport University professors in this area.

SS: What is your hope for the future of Soundscapes and its involvement in Hampton Roads (and even beyond!)?

AH: Well, we're still working right now to get established here in Hampton Roads in just one venue, but we've been welcomed by so many wide-reaching civic organizations - Boys and Girls Clubs, Kiwanis, Rotary, People to People, the city Redevelopment and Housing Authorities - and the local Universities, that I feel optimistic that we can grow into a region-wide program that will encompass children in a support system all over Hampton Roads. That's why our website is called www.soundscapesHR.org/. Our vision is to be a successful region-wide program and to be a leader in other US programs' development.

HOLIDAY EVENT

On December 17th the Soundscapes students will perform for friends, family and the community at Carver Elementary School. Come see the students perform and be there when they receive a special gift from the folks from Music and Arts Centers. You won't want to miss it!

When: Thursday, December 17, 2009
Time: 3:15pm - 4:30
Where: Carver Elementary School, 6160 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, VA

CALL TO ACTION: WAYS YOU CAN HELP!

Soundscapes needs your help to create a life-changing program for Soundscapes students! We are in need of:

• Financial Contributions (pays for program teachers and staff, instruments and supplies)
• In-kind Donations (services, instruments, goods for auctions)
• Volunteers (program day, concerts, special events, fundraisers and much more!)

To make a financial contribution please mail check to address below or donate online:

To volunteer or make an In-kind donation please contact Rey Ramirez, Program Director at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by visiting www.soundscapeshr.org