Kids’ Orchestra Afterschool Program Selected to Implement New Curriculum from Jazz at Lincoln Center

14 sites selected nationwide for new initiative to engage youth in learning FEATURED IMAGE: LaSalle Elementary Principal Lontarris William, KO Education Director Sam Trevathan, LaSalle Site Coordinator Betty Cade and students, Charles, Shilah, Kailani; Charge, and Jacelyn participating in the pilot Jazz at Lincoln Center Afterschool Content (JALC-AC) curriculum. BATON ROUGE, LA (May 23, 2019) — Kids’ Orchestra (KO) was selected as part of a nationwide initiative to help young people develop knowledge and skills in new ways, in this case through jazz music.  The program was nominated by Andrew Ganucheau with the Louisiana Center for Afterschool Learning (LACAL). The Jazz at Lincoln Center Afterschool Content (JALC-AC) is the exciting result of a unique partnership forged between Jazz at Lincoln Center and Foundations, Inc., a partnership funded by The C.S. Mott Foundation. Fusing their organizational expertise, they have developed more than 20 hours of innovative jazz content that aims to make

Read more

Our Most Focused Musicians End the Year on a High Note

FEATURED IMAGE: Kids’ Orchestra’s full Honors Symphony performs Siyahamba Traditional along with members from the Kids’ Choir. BATON ROUGE, LA (May 2, 2019) – On Sunday, May 5th at 4 p.m., Kids’ Orchestra’s 2018-2019 program year will come to an end with the 2019 Honors Spring Concert at McKinley Middle Magnet School, the finale of our Spring Neighborhood Concert Series. KO’s Honors Concert will be performed by 75 young musicians representing 16 communities across East Baton Rouge Parish. The performance is free and open to the public. Honors Program students have gone above and beyond our weekly after-school programs by auditioning and committing extra time and dedication to learning to play an instrument. Students explore beginning ensemble playing concepts, study more challenging repertoire, receive individual training, build leadership and teamwork skills, and develop friendships. WHEN: Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 4 p.m. WHERE: McKinley Middle Magnet School “A place in

Read more

Kids’ Orchestra 2019 Spring Neighborhood Concert Series – Celebrate Our Students’ Semester of Hard Work

Baton Rouge, LA (March 18, 2019) – Kids’ Orchestra is proud to present our 2019 Spring Neighborhood Concert Series. Join us for an evening of music performed by our Kindergarten through fifth-grade instrument ensembles. Our neighborhood concerts allow students from each Teaching Site to showcase their skills to members within their communities and celebrates the culmination of their hard work throughout the semester. Jody Hanet, Executive Director of Kids’ Orchestra is often heard saying, “There’s a big correlation between higher brain function and those who study music. We’re equipping children for the future by teaching them to play an instrument. We’re not trying to create 800 professional musicians, we’re trying to create great citizens.” All performances begin at 5:30 pm and are free and open to the public. April 8 – Mayfair Laboratory School April 9 – Westdale Heights Academic Magnet April 10 – Park Ridge Academic Magnet School (PRAMS)

Read more

Kids’ Orchestra 2018 Winter Neighborhood Concert Series – Congratulate Our Students’ Hard Work

Baton Rouge, LA (November 7, 2018) – Kids’ Orchestra is proud to present our Winter 2018 Neighborhood Concert Series. Join us for an evening of music and fun performed by our talented youths from 27 East Baton Rouge Parish schools. Our neighborhood concerts allow students to showcase their skills and celebrate the culmination of their hard work throughout the semester. “Practicing instruments has become a family event. My oldest is in middle school, he played cello in Kids’ Orchestra when he was in elementary. My 5th grader has been in Kids’ Orchestra for 3 years and plays cello as well. My husband played the violin in middle school and helps them with tuning and fingering. The whole family takes turns practicing and criticizing,” said Christina Davis, student mother. All performances begin at 5:30 pm and are FREE and open to the public. December 3 – Mayfair Laboratory School December 4 – Westdale Heights Academic Magnet December 5

Read more

Local Nonprofit Kids’ Orchestra Recognized at House of Representatives

Baton Rouge, LA (October 31, 2018) – On September 27, 2018, Congressman Ralph Abraham recognized Kids’ Orchestra during the House of Representatives Morning Hour. Congressman Abraham spoke about the positive impact that Kids’ Orchestra has had on the children of East Baton Rouge Parish and his hope for continued growth. “Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the nonprofit organization Kids’ Orchestra, or the positive impact it has on the children it has on East Baton Rouge Parish. It [Kids’ Orchestra] is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is one of the largest after-school programs for elementary schools in the entire United States. The program began in 2011 with 30 students from a few local schools. Now, 800 students from 21 schools participate each year learning a musical instrument, performing in an ensemble and/or singing in the choir. It [Kids’ Orchestra] uses music to teach valuable lessons both in and

Read more

From Parent to Admin – An Interview with Erica LeJeune

There are so many ways to help support Kids’ Orchestra – through being a teacher or site staff member, time as a volunteer, or monetary donations. Today, we follow the path of support of one of our new Administrative Team members: Erica LeJeune. Erica LeJeune started out as a parent of a Kids’ Orchestra student in 2013. After 3 years, she decided to become a Site Coordinator to support her children and the program. “As a parent, I would stay in the waiting area for my children. I was able to witness all the work, love and care the coordinators and teachers put into their jobs and the children. I wanted my children to be a part of that atmosphere and so did I.” This fall, Erica was promoted to the position of Program Manager in the Kids’ Orchestra administrative office. “It seems so ironic that I was googling six

Read more

Kids’ Orchestra to Rally for Afterschool Programs – Lights On Afterschool: Open House to Feature Student Performances, Games, and STEM

October 19, 2018 – On Thursday, October 25, Kids’ Orchestra’s Greenbrier Elementary School 21st Century Community Learning Center Teaching Site will join the 19th annual Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide series of rallies for afterschool organized by the Afterschool Alliance. The Lights On Afterschool Open House will feature student performances, teacher and staff meet-and-greets, tours of our afterschool music training and academic enrichment program, carnival games, and STEM-focused activities. Hundreds of parents, educators, and community members are expected to attend. What: Kids’ Orchestra Lights On Afterschool: Open House When: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday, October 25, 2018 Where: Greenbrier Elementary School, 12203 Canterbury Dr, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70814 Last year, 1 million people participated in more than 8,000 Lights On Afterschool events; the Afterschool Alliance expects the same level of participation this year. The events give youth a chance to showcase the skills and talents they learn and develop at

Read more

Professional Development Workshop Fall 2018

August 25, 2018 – Kids’ Orchestra faculty and staff participated in a 6-hour Professional Development Workshop given by Dr. Gale Gorke. The day’s session focused on building relationships with students and the role of mentorship in Kids’ Orchestra. Throughout the day, faculty and staff participated in hands-on activities, team building exercises, and content that will help them develop and build strong relationships with their students. Dr. Gale Gorke is a dynamic speaker, trainer, and author with nearly 30 years of experience as an educator in the public school system. A sought-after consultant, Dr. Gorke has helped to author California state guidelines for inclusion and physical activity in afterschool programming throughout the state. An expert in kinesthetic learning through team building and psychomotor activities, she has created programs for nationally recognized youth organizations. Her teaching style effectively models a keen awareness of adolescent development and brain-based learning principles, accommodating all students’

Read more

Kids’ Orchestra Expands to Baker – One Step Closer to Enriching All Children of Louisiana

FEATURED IMAGE: Kids’ Orchestra and City of Baker School System celebrate the expansion. From left, Jody Hanet, Executive Director, Kids’ Orchestra; Dr. Herman Brister, Superintendent, City of Baker Public Schools; and Sam Trevathan, Education Director, Kids’ Orchestra. Baker, LA (August 3, 2018) – Starting this fall, Kids’ Orchestra is expanding into Baker, launching a new site at Park Ridge Academic Magnet School (PRAMS). At Kids’ Orchestra, every school partner has different needs, we strive to create programming that can be tailored to fit every school’s needs while maintaining the high quality of musical training and enrichment that Kids’ Orchestra is known for.  PRAMS will be a part of Kids’ Orchestra’s traditional program model. Kids’ Orchestra will offer two foundations classes for K-1 students. The foundations classes emphasize creativity and play through general music concepts. Students engage through singing, dancing, storytelling, age-appropriate instruments, musical activities, and games. Classes will be held Monday and

Read more

Kids’ Orchestra to Receive $48,000 Grant from the United Thank Offering of the Episcopal Church

Baton Rouge, LA (July 11, 2018) — The United Thank Offering (UTO) of the Episcopal Church awarded 34 grants nationwide for a total of $1,257,778.17 for the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Included in this announcement is a grant to an East Baton Rouge nonprofit organization, Kids’ Orchestra, through the Diocese of Louisiana for the program “Healing the Next Generation: Relationships, Resiliency, and Social/Emotional Learning”.   The UTO is a ministry of the Episcopal Church to promote thankfulness and mission in the whole Church. UTO grants are awarded for projects that address human needs and help alleviate poverty, both domestically and internationally in the Episcopal Church. Kids’ Orchestra underwent two rounds of grant application review to receive this grant, first on a State, then National level. They are one of 34 projects to receive this year’s UTO grants and the only organization to receive it in Louisiana.   “Kids’

Read more