By Markk D. Wender | Chief Operations Officer
GlobalGiving Quarterly Report: Stax Music Academy’s SNAP! After School
Stax Music Academy’s 2011-2012 SNAP! After School program year is off to a great start! Students continue to hone their artistic abilities with serious music instruction from our outstanding faculty, unique performance opportunities and mentorship to propel them in reaching their creative goals and aspirations.
Student Performances & Community Involvement Highlights
November – January 2012
StreetCorner Harmonies (vocalists ensemble) attended the Opera, “TOSCA,” at the Orpheum Theatre as part of Opera Memphis’ New Audience Initiative. Students sand in the foyer of the Orpheum during intermission under the direction of Justin Merrick, Operations Manager /
Vocal Director of Stax Music Academy.
(Opera Memphis/Orpheum—Downtown Memphis)
A small group of SAS vocalists were selected to perform during Methodist Hospital’s Cancer Center Luncheon held at the Peabody.
Student interacted with special Guest Speaker, actor, Michael Douglas
(Peabody Hotel/Methodist Cancer Center Luncheon—Downtown Memphis)
SMA’s instructors hosted a mixer for Memphis City School’s band and choral teachers in the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The goal of the mixer was to broaden awareness of the benefits Academy students received from the Stax legacy and to show how the Academy’s programming serves as a supplement to support what students are taught within the city/county school music programs. Academy students also participated in a jam session with band teachers.
(Stax Museum of American Soul Music—Memphis)
World Renown Artist – LALAH HATHAWAY conducted a workshop/masterclass specifically for Stax Music Academy students at Stax. Students performed songs from the Stax catalog including various other music genres for the artist.
(Stax Music Academy—Memphis)
Artist, Lalah Hathaway, invited Stax students to attend her sound check the day following the Masterclass held at Stax as she prepared for an evening concert at Minglewood Hall in Memphis.
(Minglewood Hall—Memphis)
SMA instructors conducted three days of auditions at Stax for potential new students. Approximately 10-12 new students were added to the program as a result.
(Stax Music Academy—Memphis)
SMA instrumentalist students traveled to Jackson, TN to audition and observe their peers as they prepared to compete for positions within the All West TN bands. Approximately six (6)
of the students which achieved placement within the bands were also
affiliated with Stax Music Academy!
(University School—Jackson, TN)
Stax students interacted with a group of students from Hutchinson Middle School through music and conversation as part of a cultural exchange at the Academy.
(Stax Music Academy—Memphis)
StreetCorner Harmonies vocal ensemble performed during the 2 scene in “Die Fiedermaus” with the cast of Opera Memphis at the Germantown Performing Arts Centre. Students received positive write-ups from the media. Students were under the direction of
Justin Merrick, Operations Manager/Vocal Director for Stax Music Academy
(Germantown Performing Arts Centre—Germantown, TN)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCPsBbrxAeg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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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