SNAP! After School

GlobalGiving Quarterly Report: Stax Music Academy’s SNAP! After School

Stax Music Academy’s SNAP! After School program has experienced an AMAZING Spring Semester!  Students have performed with some of the best in the music business, rubbed shoulders with our nation’s leading humanitarians inclusive of a special visit from former First Lady Laura Bush! 

Student Performances & Community Involvement Highlights

January – April 2011

 ♪ An ensemble of sixteen students and five Academy staff and parent chaperones traveled to perform for the 2011 Trumpet Awards.  The student’s performed “SHAFT” in honor of actor/arts advocate, Richard Roundtree before an audience of dignitaries including: Xernona Clayton, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King, III, Chief Justice Georgina Woods, Donnie McClurkin, Richard Smallwood, Judge Greg Mathis, The O’Jays, Boris Kodjoe.  The Trumpet Awards will air on TVONE April 24, 2011

(The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre—Atlanta, GA)

 ♪ The American Heart Association’s annual Heart Ball honoring Ben Cauley, heart survivor and the soul survivor of the original Bar-Kays was hosted by George Klein

(American Heart Association—Peabody Hotel—Memphis)

 ♪ Interviewed by NBC’s correspondent Jenna Welch Bush Hager for the ‘TODAY’ Show (Stax Music Academy—Memphis)

 ♪ Performed before Shelby County Mayor Luttrell and a host of legislators

(Tennessee State Capitol—Nashville, TN)

 ♪ In partnership with prestigious Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts, Stax Music Academy was selected again as a national site to host auditions for the college and their 5-Week Summer Performance Program. Four Academy students auditioned for a probable scholarship to attend in summer of 2011 and will be notified of selection by late March

(Stax Music Academy—Memphis)

 ♪ The Stax Music Academy held two major workshops during the SoulSchool Spring Break scheduled March 14th and 15th. Consider the following summaries:

 ♫ ‘Be The Band’, the Academy’s first reality show spoof including live testimonials as students rigorously prepared throughout the day in choreography, instrumentation, songwriting and scoring music to back professional vocalists that portrayed major artists such as Jill Scott and Prince. Students received first-hand experience of what they may face in the music industry when working for relentless producers and artists.  The day concluded with a performance before a panel of judges

 ♫ ‘Big Bad Bass’ workshop was open to the public with classes for beginners to professional bass players.  The workshop included a master class conducted by world-renown bassist, Marcus Miller!

 ♫ Attendees were privileged to browse on-site gear rooms stocked by major companies such as FENDER, Martin Music, Memphis Music and The LowEnd Bass Shop out of Nashville, TN (Stax Music Academy—Memphis)

These are but a few of rare and unique opportunities made available to the Academy students by generous sponsors and donors opening a world of advantage to students who may in other circumstances may be at a disadvantage.  As one of the Academy student’s father expressed:  “My son has excelled ten times as much in self-confidence and academically as a result of being in the Stax Music Academy program …”(expressed by parent Ray Hicks).

In addition to our written report, please take a few moments to view photos taken during the SoulSchool Spring Break workshops and “Today” Show correspondent Jenna Bush Hager. 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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• Original Report (DOC)