The North Carolina Symphony and the KidZNotes education program have announced a new partnership for elementary-school students from low-income schools in the Durham (N.C.) area, effective during the 2011-12 school year. Through the partnership, the orchestra will offer its education and community engagements concerts and programs for free to KidZNotes students and their families. KidZNotes, founded last year in East Durham by Katie Wyatt, is modeled on El Sistema, the Venezuelan social-reform program orchestra program for children and families in poverty; KidZNotes students learn to play violin and receive free orchestra training. For its second year, KidZNotes will enroll 100 students at Eastway Elementary, Y.E. Smith Elementary, E.K. Powe Elementary, and Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet Elementary. “We’re thrilled about this important opportunity for our students,” said KidZNotes Executive Director Katie Wyatt. “In Venezuela’s El Sistema, youth orchestras have a deep relationship with some of the best orchestras and conductors in the world. The North Carolina Symphony is home to the best musicians and conductors in our state, and attracts world-class artists from the international community. Through an intense practice of classical music, we’re teaching them they can do and be anything.”

Posted September 20, 2011