Saving The Music In Vista, California Classrooms!
The centerpiece of the ambitious effort is a three-day music festival May 6-8, 2011 in which they are hoping to raise enough money to save the program which faced dramatic cuts otherwise. Arts education has been under fire for years as schools focused their emphasis and funding -- on the three R's to cope with the state's relentless fiscal crisis. Vista's music program started in 2006 and was funded by a state grant. Students receive 30 minute music lessons every two to three weeks. In 2008 the state gave cash-strapped districts flexibility to use grants that were earmarked for special programs for other purposes.
The program continued until this year when the district determined it needed to use money elsewhere. The district was able to spare two of the seven teachers for next year, but without more funding the program will be a fraction of its current size. It is estimated that it will take $250,000 to bring back the five other instructors. Ā The "Save Vista Music" three day concert series will include a variety of acts performing at the city's Moonlight Amphitheater and Avo Playhouse. The series starts with a Cinco de Mayo Festival on May 6 and culminates with a jazz festival May 8 both at the Moonlight Ticket vary from $10 to $40 for the shows.
The Group also is accepting donations and looking for sponsors. For more information go to savevistamusic.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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