We know that music education is frequently a luxury for young people whose families can afford weekly private lessons, expensive instruments, and upkeep costs.
in Evanston District 65 are considered low income.
That's over 3,000 students who have musical potential but may not be able to cultivate their love of music through regular private music lessons and hone their musical talents. Evanston Young Artists, consisting of a volunteer team of Northwestern undergraduate music performance majors, fills a pivotal role in the City of Evanston in providing private lessons and group classes to Evanston's underserved music students to foster their interest in music, regardless of whether their families can afford the associated costs.
Hosting the program here on Northwestern's campus will fully immerse the student in Bienen's vibrant music scene. In order for our students to develop a strong interest in the performing arts, they need to have the opportunity to experience local Evanston music performances and interact with music students and faculty in a conservatory setting.
Members of our program will ultimately build a close relationship with Bienen's music students and faculty, and become musical ambassadors within their communities.
Our mission is to foster strong music interests in Evanston's music students so that they will feel motivated to pursue the performing arts beyond high school. We hope to increase diversity at music institutions and within professional performing ensembles, and provide opportunities for professional careers in music to underserved communities.
While providing Evanston's children from underprivileged communities with a full music education experience, Northwestern's music students will also gain additional pedagogy, music education, and arts administration experience beyond what is offered in the Bienen curriculum. Course or internship credit is available for music performance majors and arts administration minors who participate in EYA.
We have designed this program so that first and second year music performance undergraduates are paired with a child for multiple years so that they may grow together musically. Bienen music education students will also get an opportunity to design their own music curriculum for our members, building a relationship with them in group classes while teaching them essential music concepts and performance skills. At the same time, students pursuing an arts administration minor will gain hands-on experience with how to manage all the facets of an arts non-profit organization that serves the Evanston community.