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| Students of the Kensington CAPA Drumline posing with their brand new vibraphone! |
Musicopia is proud to support the Kensington Creative and Performing Arts High School through their Adopt-A-School initiative. So far this year, they have been able to provide the school with in-school and afterschool arts enrichment programs, including a hip-hop dance residency with renowned Philadelphia choreographer, Roger Lee, guitar and songwriting training programs, brass coaching, and a six-week sound engineering course. In June, the students of the songwriting club will be joining forces with the school's orchestra to record an original musical work.
The Kensington CAPA competitive indoor drumline, led by professional percussionist and Philadelphia public school teacher, Jesse Mell, is also supported through Musicopia's program. Jesse's dream for the drumline was to one day add a vibraphone to their inventory, a tonal percussion instrument that adds great depth to indoor percussion repertoire. In March, Musicopia was able to surprise him at the school with a brand new one (as seen in the above photo). The students were thrilled that they were able to play it in their spring competitions. On April 5th, the drumline jumped seven points in the last week of the season to place 3rd in the Cavalcade of BandsIndoor Percussion Championship at Pottsgrove Middle School, and were the only competing ensemble from a Philadelphia public school.
On March 28th, Musicopia was able to bring the Kensington CAPA Drumline to close out the TEDx Philly conference at the Temple Performing Arts Center. The Drumline ended the wonderful day of inspiring talks and demonstrations "with a bang," and received a standing ovation as they exited the stage. Musicopia would like to thank TEDx Philly for providing the Drumline with this wonderful opportunity for the drumline, students, and faculty at Kensington CAPA. Pictures and videos soon to come!
To help Musicopia keep music in our public schools, visit their site at http://musicopia.net/
