Education/Outreach
KCH REACHES OUT!
BRINGING MUSICIANS INTO THE SCHOOLS
 Education and community outreach are cornerstones of the Kerrytown Concert House mission. As school districts in southeastern Michigan have curtailed their art and music classes due to financial constraints, KCH has become an invaluable educational resource for students throughout the region. The Concert House brings internationally renowned musicians directly into the schools to perform and discuss their art, providing unique and exciting experiences for students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to learn from world leaders in classical music and jazz.
BRINGING STUDENTS TO THE CONCERT HOUSE
In addition to our efforts to bring musicians into the schools, KCH presents mini-concerts to elementary and middle school students who arrive by bus at the Concert House. These concerts offer a fast-paced and engaging introduction to classical and jazz music, lasting about 45 minutes each and including considerable interaction between performers and students. KCH offers two types of mini-concerts for students: The Classical Program is a real variety show, often including a trumpet player, string player, pianist and saxophone quartet. The Jazz Program may include a pianist, guitarist, drummer and bassist. The drummer often distributes his various instruments among the students and creates a polyrhythmic "moment" with the students supplying the beats.KCH mini-concerts have been presented as part of joint educational collaborations with Ann Arbor science museums  (e.g., A Day with the Arts and Sciences), combining concerts and music education programs with museum tours. Typical activities might include a visit to the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum followed by a concert during which members of a jazz quartet demonstrate rhythm, melody and harmony as well as the balance between composition and improvisation.
A RENOWNED GROUP OF EDUCATORS IN THE PERFORMING ARTS
Whether performing at a school site or a special mini-concert for students at the Concert House, the musicians who participate in KCH educational outreach programs include professionals who are much in demand throughout southeastern Michigan. They are members of symphony orchestras, instructors at the Eastern Michigan University and University of Michigan schools of music, and performers on major concert series across the country. A multicultural group of both women and men, the performing artists are selected for their ability to communicate effectively with young people. They all bring a generous spirit and humor to their educational engagements.
KCH outreach is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
For more information on Kerrytown Concert House Outreach Activities and to learn how your school can participate,
please call 734-769-2999 or email kch@kerrytown.com.
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