Jane Glover
Nicholas Kraemer
Edward Zelnis
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Board of Directors
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Volunteer Ushers
Music of the Baroque conducts Educational Outreach to supplement music education programs at several Chicago high schools.
Focused on high school students interested in musical study who lack the resources to pursue their aspirations, the program combines individual and group vocal instruction by Music of the Baroque chorus members with exposure to high-quality musical performances.
Outreach teachers work with partner Chicago public high school chorus directors to coordinate a range of activities including private bi-weekly voice lessons, small group vocal instruction and choral coaching, master classes and in-school lecture/concerts. All activities, as well as teaching materials developed and produced by Music of the Baroque, are offered at no cost to students.
Chorus Director Edward Zelnis, an accomplished singer, accompanist, vocal coach and conductor, directs Music of the Baroque’s Educational Outreach Program, coordinating scheduling and serving as program liaison to outreach teachers and partner school music faculty. Outreach teachers are all members of the Music of the Baroque chorus.
Students learn proper technique, enhance their performance skills and increase their familiarity with classical repertoire. Students also report increased self-confidence and strengthened language and memorization skills as a result of work with outreach teachers, who act as role models for promising singers.
Music of the Baroque currently offers a range of program activities at five partner schools—Hubbard High School, Kelvyn Park High School, Roberto Clemente High School and Simeon Career Academy. Here are some comments from participating students:
“...We were able to have a teacher that cared about us inside and out of class and she helped us in every way possible.”
“I've learned to apply myself and to do much more.”
“I got a chance to work with a well-known singer from a music group of professionals. Not everybody gets a chance to do that or have them tell you that you have a nice voice and that you could also be a professional singer.”
“What I've learned this year in music has helped me with my singing in other choirs and it's helped me become a mentor to others.”
“The most rewarding thing...They actually care and love their jobs.”
The program's influence did not end in the classroom. Students reported that learning another language and basic music reading skills helped them with memorization in other classes and that breathing exerecises carried over to stressful times at school and at home. In addition, interpersonal skills such as working as a team and understanding individual responsibility were applied in team sports, after-school activities, and relationships with friends and family.
Music of the Baroque's 2006–07 Educational Outreach Program was generously supported by Polk Bros. Foundation, Starr Foundation, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust and Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation.
Help us provide rich musical experiences to high school youth. Make a gift that supports Music of the Baroque’s music making and the music education outreach program.
