By Mark D. Wender | Chief Operating Officer
GlobalGiving Quarterly Report: Stax Music Academy’s SNAP! After School
Stax Music Academy’s students in the SNAP! After School program has performed for several community outreach initiatives in Memphis and also Mississippi! We are closing out the Spring Semester with a bang! Here are a few highlights:
1. February: Students performed for the following:
v Memphis NBA Grizzlies – FedEx Forum – Vocalists sang the National Anthem before a stadium of thousands!
v Memphis NBA Grizzlies – Fed Ex Forum – Private Reception; Students performed during a pre-fundraiser with star players and sponsors;
v Brown Baptist Church – Community Outreach Celebrating “Black History Month”; Vocalists ensemble sang selected spirituals;
v Annual Jewel Awards Banquet – New St. Luke – Jackson, TN; Jazz, Rhythm and select vocalists performed during banquet honoring African American Entrepreneurs (sponsored by the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce):;
v SMA’s Black History Concert – “Welcome To Soulsville”; A Broadway style production involving all Stax Music Academy ensembles (jazz, rhythm, percussionists, vocalists) portraying the story of the legacy of the ‘Soulsville’ community and its legendary Stax artists. The concert featured Grammy Award Winner, CEO/President of Soulsville Foundation, Kirk Whalum, and Bar-Kays, Larry Dodson, Sr. Three powerpacked shows with an audience well over 5,000 people consisting of area schools (public, private & charter) and a host of public supporters. (Article: http://www.memphisconnect.com/2012/03/06/stax-music-academy-rocks-cannon-center-with-original-production/)
2. March: Performances and celebrations:
v Houston High School Annual “Colorfest”; Premier Percussionists ensemble students competed with various High School percussionists and colorguards;
v SoulSchool Spring Break – “Guitar Workshop & 2nd Annual “Be The Band” Workshop: a) Current Stax students and students from area schools and adults participated in a one day guitar workshop conducted by professional musicians.; b) Part-Two of Spring Break was followed by a ‘survivor-reality’ type workshop involving current students and student musicians from the public coming together in randomly selected groups of instrumentation involving rigorous timed rehearsals and choreography to compete before a panel of judges to become ‘the band’. Prize for the winning group was a live recording session at historical Ardent Studio in Memphis where their song(s) were pressed onto a vinyl record! Each student in the winning group(s) receives a record;
v Parent-Youth Summit – Metropolitan Church, Memphis: Students attended a career fair sponsored by The River City Chapter of LINKS. Professionals from aviation, engineering, nursing, media and the music industry were present.
3. April: Opera performances and more!
v Opera Memphis ‘Don Pasquale’ – Orpehum Theatre, Memphis: StreetCorner Harmonies vocal ensemble attended the opera as part of their Stax curriculum which was the start of a new partnership with Opera Memphis. The ensemble sang in the Orpheum’s lobby during intermission;
v Cultural Music Exchange – Martin Behrman Charter School: Students interacted musically with a group from New Orleans that’s also recognized as a Berklee City Music Satellite Site such as Stax Music Academy;
v Jazz Workshop – Stax Music Academy: Students were treated to a workshop with jazz professionals, Jason Moran and Reuben Rogers!
v Juke Joint Festival – Delta Blues Museum – Downtown Clarksdale, MS: All ensembles performed under the direction of their instructors during the annual blues festival in Mississippi on the day of activities featuring High School musicians. Students received some well deserved R&R and enjoyed the day’s activities before returning to Memphis.
v Africa In April – Robert Church Park – Downtown Memphis: All ensembles performed under the direction of Stax instructors before a crowd of hundreds during the annual festival which featured the country of Mali; Parents participated by chaperoning and selling t-shirts in support of the Academy;
v 2nd Annual “STAX TO THE MAX” Festival/Concert: All ensembles and instructors performed before crowds of thousands celebrating the eleventh (11th) anniversary of Stax Music Academy. The day was filled with games, food and activities for families and free live music featuring Stax Artist, William Bell, The Bo-Keys and a host of other artists and choirs. The President of Berklee College of Music and staff presented tuition scholarships to six (6) Stax Music Academy students to attend the Berklee City Music’s 5-Week Summer Performance Program in Boston, Massachusetts for 2012!
These are examples of some of the continuing unique opportunities made possible for the Academy’s students by generous sponsors and donors opening a world of advantage to students who may in other circumstances may be at a disadvantage. (Article from News Channel 5 (wmctv.com): “Stax students takes history to the Stage”! http://www.wmctv.com/story/17038266/stax-students-take-history-to-the-stage).
In Summary…
These are merely a few rare and unique opportunities to mentor Memphis youth through music education and unique performance opportunities. Please continue to assist our efforts and know that your gift is being put to use, celebrating the soulful past—and securing the bright future—of this legendary ‘Soulsville’ community. Thanks for your generous support. We invite you to share your thoughts. Was this quarterly report helpful?
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By Markk D. Wender | Chief Operations Officer
By Mark D. Wender | Chief Operating Officer
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