Blues in the Schools Set for May 12, 2004 ...more
Open Sky Music Foundation, Inc.
Looking to the Future through Music Education
 Keeping
a focus on American cultural music through education is the goal
of The Open Sky Music Foundation, Inc. This 501(c)3, non-profit
California Corporation that produces the annual Open Sky Music
Festival, conducts workshops for students of all ages at various
public schools in the Big Bear area.
Through donations and funding from the Richard K. Bates and Nancy
Meyer Living Trust, the foundation develops strategies in conjunction
with organizations such as Boosey & Hawkes, The Verve Music Group,
and Arts Council of Big Bear Valley to keep music in the classroom.
The foundation presents free workshops, making music education
a unique and enjoyable experience for area students. Past programs
have included a songwriting workshop, a big band workshop with Grammy
Award winning saxophonist Ernie Watts for the high school jazz ensemble,
a percussion workshop for elementary students in the Rainbow Kids
after school program and various “blues in the schools”
performances. The foundation brings together students and musicians
in a performance/lecture format ensuring a meaningful experience
for attendees. Workshop subjects have included “The Art
of Communication,” and “Self Expression through
Music.” A music library of 50 CD’s by classic American
jazz artists was also donated to the Big Bear High School jazz studies
program.
In addition to presenting “heritage music in the mountains”
through the Open Sky Music Festival, the foundation has a commitment
to keeping performing arts in the schools by providing educational
experiences for the students of Big Bear valley with an emphasis
on music.
Past Sponsors
Union Bank of California • Arts Council of Big Bear Valley
• Julius Keilwerth Saxophones • The Verve Music Group
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