Imagine Concert on March 1 at the Ojai Valley School featuring the UCSB Middle East Music Ensemble – Music Van brings instruments to Ojai Valley school students
For over 30 years, the Ojai Music Festival’s BRAVO Program has been bringing music to the Ojai community. Through music education to Ojai Valley Public School students, engagement at senior living centers, and free concerts throughout the year, BRAVO makes music an integral, enjoyable, and exciting part of the everyday learning process at any age.
To celebrate Music in the Schools month in March, the BRAVO program will feature two of their signature programs for both students and the community starting with the Imagine concert on Friday, March 1 at the Ojai Valley School.
Thanks to a special grant from the Ojai Valley School-Barbara Barnard Smith Fund of the Ventura County Community Foundation, the Imagine concert will present the UC-Santa Barbara Middle East Ensemble in two school performances at the Greenberg Center on the OVS campus. Fourth, fifth and six graders will enjoy world music with a program that will emphasize Middle Eastern music and dance. All are welcome to enjoy the ensemble at a free concert from 4:00pm to 5:00pm Friday, March 1. It is completely open to the general public with no reservations required and seats will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. These programs provide a lasting legacy of enduring support for Ojai Valley School’s continued education in world music. Along with related arts, it is intended to engender a broad perspective and appreciation of music from all world cultures. This occurs primarily through live performances of traditional music in major non-Western cultural regions. When possible and suitable, the ancestral cultural heritage of the Ojai community and its students are also focused upon. Thanks to Professor Smith, these funds annually open the doors to an engaging multicultural experience for students, teachers, parents and the community, embodying true world view of music. Ojai Valley School is indebted to Professor Smith for her foresight and generosity.
Also in March, BRAVO’s Music Van will set out to demonstrate the instruments of the orchestra to elementary students. This year, 50 volunteers will visit 10 public and private schools with a selection of instruments that more than 400 fourth and fifth graders are invited to try out
Coordinated by Ojai longtime resident and 2018 Ojai Treasure Lynne Doherty has spearheaded the Music Van for more than 25 years, “The look of delight on a kid who makes a mighty racket on the trombone or coaxes a sweet note from the violin is wonderful to see,” she said. “Music instruction in the schools has suffered from years of budget cuts to the arts, and we are continuing to fill that gap.”
You can’t learn to play the violin without first holding one in your hand and awkwardly finding a note.
For more information on the Ojai Music Festival’s BRAVO programs visit OjaiFestival.org or call 805 646 2094.