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OK Motzart gives new clarinets
BARTLESVILLE - Five shiny new clarinets were handed out to Central Middle School orchestra students Friday - a donation from OK Mozart International Music Festival Several sixth-grade students eagerly enrolled this year in Bartlesville's middle school orchestra program but had no instruments to play. "We are honored to be able to do this," OK Mozart Executive Director Shane Jewell said. "This was the exact reason we created the 'No Child Clef Behind' program - to hopefully inspire these children for a lifelong love of music." OK Mozart worked with Tulsa's Saied Music Company, which donated one of the instruments and provided the other four at a discount. Saied was founded in 1948 by former school band director Jimmy Saied, whose emphasis was serving school band programs. "We just really appreciate the generous gesture from OK Mozart," said David Austin, Bartlesville Public Schools community relations coordinator. "I've talked to Central Band Director Mike Dodso,n and he is very happy to be receiving these five clarinets." A premiere Oklahoma music festival now in its 27th year, OK Mozart has expanded from providing a week of classical music in the summer to offering arts programs, concert events and educational outreach throughout the year. The 1-year-old donation program that provided the sixth-graders clarinets in Bartlesville also provided funds to Tulsa Public Schools for its instrumental music program. Jewell said about $16,000 has been made in contributions for students to date. In addition to providing donations to schools, the program helps cover the cost of concert tickets for children who might otherwise not have the opportunity to experience an OK Mozart event. "I am the executive director of OK Mozart, and I am also a musician and playing music is very important to me," Jewell told the students. "Statistics have shown students who participate in music excel in other areas as well |
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