By creating an interactive residency with exposure to peer role models who are classical musicians, the music becomes accessible to everyone. Students have the opportunity to experience it firsthand and to see how other students incorporate classical music into their lives.
“Seeing someone my age like classical music and be really good at a classical instrument was inspiring.” – Thirteen-year-old student
In addition to teaching kids practical skills such as what it takes to produce a radio show, the program introduces or reinforces classical music to young people. This program makes learning about classical music relevant to students lives and interests. For example, the "classical cool card" in Virginia links students' infatuation with technology with classical music by helping them realize the prevalence and influence of the music in film, video, television, commercials, popular music and even cartoons. It also rewards attendance and participation in classical arts events as a means of earning points for their own iPod, loaded with the classical music that they have learned to love!
