Communities: Nashville, Paoli
Launched: private lesson courses at two schools
Engaged: band students of Paoli and Brown County High
Involved: 16 JSoM students
Summary
Student organization Classical Connections was one of the first groups to explore community engagement activity at the start of the Jacobs School – Center for Rural Engagement collaboration, all the way back in 2018. Working with conservatory students to bring the joy of music to underserved communities through musical performance, educational engagement, and interpersonal development, band students in partner high school and middle school were selected to receive weekly lessons virtually and in person from students at the Jacobs School of Music. These lessons ran for 6-8 weeks, with the Classical Connections closely evaluating student progress and adjusting their curriculum to best fit individual student interests and needs. The organization is made up of IU music students passionate about sharing what they do with the larger local community. Besides offering weekly private lessons to students in Paoli and Brown counties, Classical Connections also presented masterclasses and lectures in local secondary schools and continues to host a monthly podcast which is free to public audiences.
Visit the Classical Connections website
JSoM Students Involved:
Anna Dorey
Kearsen Erwin
Anna Hargett
Sophie Fears
Josh Flores
Madeline Grenier
Erich Gorfman
Mara Gorhee
Alex Keiser
Capper Howard
Evelyn Hupka
Bryson Masters
Kathryn Peterson
Kunal Tiwari
David Sanchez-Becerra
Leilani Spurlock
Others Involved:
Matt Finley
Bill Laughlin
Brown County High School Band Department
Paoli High School Band Department