Chicago West Community Music Center has been chosen as the regional audition hub for the Boston-based Berklee College of Music. Berklee held its student auditions Dec. 14 and 15, and will hold another round Feb. 15 through the 17th.
The center’s executive director, Howard Sandifer, says “this is a great opportunity not only for CWCMC but for the West side community as a whole because we are currently the only organization in the region to have the partnership with the City Music College.”
It’s good for West Side youth, who will have a chance to learn how to connect with a prestigious music college and for their parents, too, the center said.
The Berklee team includes: Greg Badolato, Darla Hanley, David Jilles (student), Scott Trach and Wei Yang (student).
The purpose of the program is to reduce specific music-related achievement gaps between minority and non-minority students, and between economically disadvantaged students and their more advantaged peers.
City Music provides music instruction, mentoring, and college scholarships to students from Boston as well as to those enrolled at City Music Network sites.
The Berklee PULSE method is used — curriculum centered around present-day music styles; the instruments that youths tend to select; and theoretical, listening, improvisational, and performance skills. Webcasting and videoconferencing technologies will provide face-to-face interaction between City Music Network students and partner sites, as well as with faculty and students at Berklee’s Boston campus.
City Music’s programs are sponsored in part by the city of Chicago, Oak Park Arts Council, City Arts Council, CAAP, International House of Blues Foundation and the Chicago Park District. CWCMC is also a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education.
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I fill that this program is a great opportunity for our youth. keep up the good work much love.