Carnegie Mellon University
November 06, 2012

Media Advisory: Carnegie Mellon Urban Music Education Program Brings Relevant Music to Teachers and Students

Contact: Pam Wigley / 412-268-1047 / pwigley@andrew.cmu.edu

Event:  About 400 students in grades 4 through 12 from Pittsburgh Public Schools and the Wilkinsburg School District will attend, and some will participate in, a Carnegie Mellon University School of Music Wind Ensemble performance.

Approximately 25 students will be part of a “side-by-side” performance, which allows the high school students to play instruments along with CMU Ensemble members. They will play “Thriller,” one of Michael Jackson’s biggest hits.

The Urban Music Education Program brings not only popular music, but also classical and even hip hop music to students and teachers. The program, which began as a professional development program for teachers, expanded to include the children when teachers saw how they responded to music that was relevant to them. Carnegie Mellon, through foundation and federal support, has helped the schools purchase instruments to continue student involvement.

“Our goal is to make music accessible to children in all schools, and we want them to relate to the music they hear in their own households and neighborhoods,” said Natalie Ozeas, professor of music education and director of graduate studies at Carnegie Mellon’s School of Music. 

Ozeas will attend the concert, as will teachers who have fully embraced the program and who have seen a profound difference in their students because of it.

When: 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 8

Where:  Carnegie Music Hall, Oakland

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