News and Stories
March 24, 2009
Notre Dame Music Department Invests in Community's Young Musicians
Increased concentration span, higher self-confidence, enhanced coordination—these are just a few of the benefits students experience as a result of studying a musical instrument. Unfortunately, the high cost of instruments often pushes them beyond the reach of youth who come from low-income households.To bring music into the lives of at least a few more local students, the Notre Dame Music Department approached the Notre Dame Chamber Players about donating the proceeds from their spring concert to the purchase of instruments for the South Bend Community School Corporation's music program. (For more, see the March 3 news story.)
The chamber group agreed enthusiastically and raised more than $1,000 with its performance. The concert's theme, a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of composer Felix Mendelssohn, was particularly fitting since Mendelssohn began his musical studies at an early age.
"I cannot thank [the Notre Dame Music Department] enough for this generous and gracious initiative," said Mary Jo Kaiser, head of the Fine Arts program for South Bend Schools. "As time goes on, we have an increasing number of students coming from homes of poverty. This will allow an instrumental music experience for some that they might not have otherwise had."