This will be the fourth year that our club has provided support for the Rio Hondo Symphony Children's Concert which brings fourth and fifth grade students from lower income schools to a special concert for them. Under the talented direction of Conductor Kimo Furumoto, the concert introduces students to symphonic music and even the variety of instruments which they have to which they have not previously been exposed. It also serves to motivate them to pursue additional music education and in so doing focus more on school. This program is focused on children in disadvantaged circumstances. Assuming that the symphony organization is again able to serve the three districts of Los Nietos, South Whittier and Whittier City, over 82% of the students are eligible for free or reduced priced school meals.
The concert(s) will be scheduled in January. In January 2017, two concerts were held on subsequent days in order to accommodate all of the students.
Music and art instruction continue to be limited as the emphasis is on language and math which are the focus of testing accountability. Yet, music and art are also strong contributors to intellectual development and may also serve to motivate students in school in general.
Project funds will be used to pay for school buses to bring the students to the concert auditorium at Whittier High School. According to the projected budget of the Rio Hondo Symphony Association, our contribution will pay for 40% of the transportation costs. Whittier Sunrise Rotarians will assist in managing the arrival and departure of these buses which is a very complex operation due to the number of students arriving and departing in a relatively short period of time. Rotarians will also serve as ushers and provide other assistance to school and symphony staff during the concert.
This project has grown to include a close association of the Whittier Sunrise Rotary Club with the Rio Hondo Symphony Association. The Symphony Association presents four free concerts each season to the general public. Club members are now in charge of the disabled parking. Five to six club members, assisted by students from the California High School Interact, direct parking and assist disabled seniors from the vehicles to their seats in the auditorium.
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