“Oakland Symphony cellist Elizabeth Vandervennet’s lifelong love of music was nurtured in public school, and her tireless work to continue to share that joy with children has earned her national recognition,” writes Lou Fancher in Thursday’s (5/5) East Bay Times (Walnut Creek, CA). “Vandervennet, 48, education coordinator for the symphony’s Music for Excellence program, was one of five musicians in the country selected by the League of American Orchestras to receive the Ford Musician Award for Excellence in Community Service…. The Music for Excellence program provides in-school music mentoring to 1,300 students at 19 public schools in the Oakland Unified School District. It also has four after-school programs; all are offered for free to students…. ‘I have never seen anyone who was more devoted to our mission than Beth,’ says Michael Morgan, Oakland Symphony music director and conductor…. The award includes a $2,500 grant to each musician and an additional $2,500 grant to recipients’ home orchestras to support musicians’ community service professional development.… “Connecting with these kids, their eyes light up. When they could barely play something in October, and at the end of the year they can play all the way through a movement, they come alive,’ Vandervennet said.”
Posted May 9, 2016
