The University of Lynchburg Music Department has teamed up with the Ellington Fellowship Playhouse (The Ellington) and the Jubilee Family Development Center to provide music lessons to children who could not otherwise afford it.
Ten children selected by Jubilee are taking part in group piano lessons and music instruction. The Monday classes include 13 lessons in the fall and 15 in the spring at the Hebb Music Center at LC’s Snidow Chapel. The lessons will culminate in a Winter Holiday Concert at LC on Dec. 14 and a Spring Piano Extravaganza at the Ellington on May 10. In addition, Dr. Ramsey is privately teaching an 11th student who had previous keyboarding experience.
The goal of the Music Bridge program is to expose children to music. Studies have shown how valuable music and the arts in general can be to a child’s development. Children can become more confident, creative, and happy. Music can also develop a child’s physical skills, and music study can contribute greatly to a child’s intellectual and emotional growth.
Phase One of Music Bridge involved musicians going to the seven Lynchburg Parks and Recreation Community Centers on two separate occasions to perform and educate children on the basics and joy of music.
The Ellington Fellowship playhouse is a non-profit 501c3 organization, and funding for the Music Bridge program so far has come strictly from patron donations and 50/50 raffles. More funds for music books and other instructional materials are needed.
For more information, contact Dr. Cynthia Ramsey, assistant professor of music and director of keyboard studies, at 434.544.8445 or ramsey.c@lynchburg.edu.