(ATLANTIC CITY/BRIDGETON, NJ) -- The Bay Atlantic Symphony has received a $11,230 grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts to help fund the expansion of the Symphony’s Music/Mentorship Program—an initiative for teaching music in Atlantic City, NJ schools. As part of the entire funding package, the State Arts Council also awarded the Symphony a $36,708 grant to cover general operating expenses.
The Music/Mentorship program was created two years ago in consultation with Stockton University as a long-term program that would assist in teaching instrument performance to middle and high school students in southern New Jersey in cooperation with Stockton University’s Classical Music Program.
The Bay Atlantic Symphony’s program currently serves two Atlantic City schools:
“This is wonderful news for the Symphony and also for the many students we serve,” said Bay Atlantic Symphony Executive Director Paul Herron. “We are looking forward to solidifying the education program’s foundation and to expand our services to even more students.”
The Music/Mentorship program currently encompasses classes in string and woodwind instruments. Dolores Dillon, a retired Ocean County, NJ, music school teacher and Bay Atlantic Symphony violist, teaches the string students. Dr. Christopher Di Santo, Associate Professor of Music at Stockton University and principal clarinetist of the Bay Atlantic Symphony, teaches the woodwind students. Classes take place every other week, with individual and small-group training. Bay Atlantic Symphony Music Director Jed Gaylin also leads group sessions with the Atlantic City Orchestral Academy.
A unique aspect of the program involves Stockton University music students assisting the teachers in developing a teaching plan in the individual and group sessions, as well as in teaching the middle and high school students. The university students are able to enhance their abilities in this way and form a bond with the younger generation of students.
Stockton University’s Acting President Harvey Kesselman, who as Stockton’s provost, was part of the initial discussions for this program two years ago, sees this program as transmitting the value of music in a broad sense to the students.
“The Music/Mentorship Program is important, not only for the Symphony, but for the music education community of southern New Jersey,” Dr. Kesselman said. “Research has found that learning music facilitates other subjects and enhances skills that children inevitably use in other areas.”
Lisa Honaker, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at Stockton University, sees the music students from Stockton helping the Bay Atlantic Symphony professionals as a vital and extremely positive part of the program’s success.
“Stockton students and faculty are thrilled to be part of a program that encourages local participation and appreciation of the performing arts,” she said. “That’s good for the whole community. The music training that this program provides has already yielded benefits not only to the student musicians but also to music programs in Atlantic City.”
David Murray, the director of the Orchestral Academy, sees this program as a powerful asset and praises the Bay Atlantic Symphony for what they are doing to expand the horizons of their students.
“I can truly say of this collaboration with the Bay Atlantic Symphony that their passion for reaching the community through music is making a dream a reality for our students.”
Looking ahead, the Symphony plans to expand the program to include brass and percussion and to include as teachers additional musicians from the professional roster of the Bay Atlantic Symphony.
About The Bay Atlantic Symphony
The aim of the Bay Atlantic Symphony is to share and develop a love for transcendent, live, concert music in southern New Jersey communities through performance and education. Since its founding as the Bridgeton Symphony in 1983, the orchestra has been recognized for its world-class performers, diverse programs and outstanding community services. Under the talented baton of passionate Music Director Jed Gaylin since 1997, the Bay Atlantic Symphony is the only professional orchestra to serve the five southern-most counties of New Jersey. The orchestra makes great music accessible through live concerts with low ticket prices at the Richard Stockton Performing Arts Center, the Guaracini Performing Art Center, the Avalon Symphony by the Sea Series, the Cape May Music Festival and Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa. More information on the Bay-Atlantic Symphony can be obtained by calling (856) 451-1169, visiting the Symphony’s website at www.bayatlanticsymphony.org, or by visiting them on Facebook.
