About the Project:
The District 65 Instrumental Music department wanted to raise awareness of the impact learning to play an instrument can have on a student's education and well being. Playing an instrument is a tool for social and emotional learning as well as a tool for self expression.
We are grateful and fortunate to have received generous funding from Foundation 65 to commission a composition for our 8th grade band and orchestra students.
Through this project we explored how listening, composing and performing music can bring attention and light to various social justice causes. We commissioned composer Stefan L. Smith to write a piece for us with the theme of Social Justice in mind. In addition to learning and performing the piece "A Letter to the Mothers", students were able to meet with Mr. Smith (over zoom) ask questions about the piece, its meaning and about being a composer and professional musician. Mr. Smith began his successful career in music learning to play viola as a public school student in Joliet, IL in a program similar to the program we have here in Evanston.
The District 65 Instrumental Music department wanted to raise awareness of the impact learning to play an instrument can have on a student's education and well being. Playing an instrument is a tool for social and emotional learning as well as a tool for self expression.
We are grateful and fortunate to have received generous funding from Foundation 65 to commission a composition for our 8th grade band and orchestra students.
Through this project we explored how listening, composing and performing music can bring attention and light to various social justice causes. We commissioned composer Stefan L. Smith to write a piece for us with the theme of Social Justice in mind. In addition to learning and performing the piece "A Letter to the Mothers", students were able to meet with Mr. Smith (over zoom) ask questions about the piece, its meaning and about being a composer and professional musician. Mr. Smith began his successful career in music learning to play viola as a public school student in Joliet, IL in a program similar to the program we have here in Evanston.
A Letter to the Mothers
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The discussion element of the project was divided into 3 parts.