Bravo! Vail celebrates music education with free community events
Fall is a time to get back to school and hit the books but Bravo! Vail believes that everyone can learn something new with its Music Education Month kicking off in October. Bravo! Vail is presenting free and low-cost events and collaborative learning opportunities to celebrate all the ways we can integrate music into our lives.
Most people think of Bravo! Vail as the concert series that brings in world class orchestras throughout the summer. But the nonprofit, which has been around for almost 40 years, has been expanding its efforts in music education for the past 20 years with programs like its Music Makers Haciendo Música program which hosts after school classes for violin, piano and youth ensembles.
“This October celebrates our continued efforts by engaging our community with eleven free or low-cost events all month long that center around the theme of music and its connection to our everyday lives,” said Aileen Pagán-Rohwer, senior director of education and engagement at Bravo! Vail.
Bravo! Vail has stepped out of its musical box and has teamed up with partners ranging from the library to the University of Colorado Boulder and aims to reach everyone from pre-schoolers to senior citizens.
“Bravo! Vail is first and foremost a community organization that exists because of the support we have from our community and partner organizations. We’re so fortunate to have established connections with so many wonderful nonprofits in our history and are dedicated to raising the awareness of not only what we do, but how we can complement and participate more fully with our fellow education, arts, health and science organizations,” Pagán-Rohwer said.
Bravo! Vail brought in the Koa String Quartet to perform early in the month. The Koa String Quartet is the graduate string quartet in residence at the University of Boulder and they played concerts for the Golden Eagle Senior Center in Eagle and Berry Creek Middle School and Battle Mountain High School before playing for the students and public at Colorado Mountain College at the Edwards campus on Oct. 3-4. The quartet showcased music from their native Hawaiian culture as well as the traditional classical and Latin repertoire.
“Bravo! Vail is proud to showcase outstanding chamber ensembles in the early stages of major professional careers. These musicians benefit immeasurably by performing, teaching and learning throughout the Eagle Valley community,” Pagán-Rohwer said.
Events throughout the month include Story Hour that will also incorporate music at the Bookworm of Edwards and Vail Valley Unbound, a progressive K-5th grade school located in Edwards.
Don’t miss the Fright at the Museum Halloween event on Oct. 26 at Walking Mountains Science Center that will feature the Bravo! Vail Teen Chamber ensemble performing medieval music. Participants can make instruments from medieval times in this fun, hands-on activity for the entire family.
“One event we are super excited to introduce for the first time this year is an Adult Musician Co-Op on Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. at the Vail Public Library. If you are an adult that has ever played an instrument and would like to get back into it, been curious about learning an instrument or actively play as a hobby, this event is for you. We are bringing adults together to socialize, learn and play music together at whatever level you are involved,” Pagán-Rohwer said.
Pagán-Rohwer said another event that is shifting Bravo! Vail out of its comfort zone is at Alpine Arts Center.
“The Alpine Arts Center’s Cocktails and Canvas collaboration introduces us to a world we didn’t even know existed within us,” Pagán-Rohwer said. “This year, we are exploring Autumnal Musical Expressions on Friday, Oct. 11 at 5:15 p.m. While painting an autumn themed image, we will be listening to and inspired by classical music that has themes reflecting the change of seasons. As we withdraw inward and save energy for the cold winter ahead, music and art can help us understand the world around us and help us look forward to what will grow ahead.”
This is the third year Bravo! Vail has offered musical education in October. To learn more, view the entire schedule and to register for events, go to BravoVail.org.
Read the full article at VailDaily.com