Who: Camino Grove and Longley Way Elementary Schools of Arcadia Unified School District
What: Assembly performances (Music Center on Tour)
Staff: Clare Schulberg

This month, respected ethnomusicologist Dr. Craig Woodson will travel from Ohio to the San Gabriel Valley, where he will make his way to Camino Grove Elementary. One week later, The Chameleons - Berger & Diskin, a highly acclaimed mime team, will take to the freeway, where they will arrive at Longley Way Elementary. What these two destinations have in common is that they are both elementary schools in the Arcadia Unified School District. And the travelers share the fact that they are professional artists on the Music Center roster, and are scheduled to bring the magic of live performance to the students on each school campus.

Arcadia Unified School District has a long-standing partnership with the Music Center, which has established a working relationship with all six elementary schools, beginning as early as the mid 1980's. To bring Music Center artists to their schools, each campus has administrators, teachers or parents who attend our annual "Showcase of Artists" (where they preview performances and meet the artists); select and schedule the events; and secure funding for their choices.

Through their efforts, thousands of Arcadia's grades K-5 students will experience a wide range of authentic models of artistic excellence, which this year include an introduction to the string instruments of the orchestra, an intriguing portrayal of California's Gold Rush era, a musical visit to the rain forests of the Americas, and intricately costumed traditional Native American dancers.

As the Arcadia students assemble in their respective multipurpose rooms on these January mornings, they will spend the next 45 minutes with professionals who will use their artistry to engage, involve and inspire creativity. In days to follow, perhaps the students of Camino Grove Elementary will return to their classrooms and make a simple instrument of their own, experimenting with musical sounds. Or maybe Longley Way's students will write a story and communicate the actions and emotions through mime.

Through performances in dance, music, theatre and storytelling, Music Center ensembles and individual artists introduce students to the world of the arts. Whether it connects them to the traditions of different cultures, historical ages or geography, these performances expand knowledge and understanding in the arts and across the curriculum by inspiring creativity through artistry.

For information about how a Music Center artist can be a part of your district or school program, call (213) 250-ARTS or e-mail us at schoolprograms@musiccenter.org.

Written by Marlene Leuenhagen, Associate Director, School Programs