More than 200 students in Henry County and Martinsville City schools enjoyed a variety of enriching music offerings and experiences during the 2022-2023 academic year, thanks to VIVO – an innovative and inclusive music and arts instructional program developed by Da Capo Virginia.
The program is designed specially to address the unique needs of students from ages 3-22 with disabilities that often make it challenging for them to participate in many traditional music programs.
“VIVO has served hundreds of students in Virginia through its classroom instruction, rehearsals, and full-scale concert events,” said Tracee Prillaman, who co-founded Da Capo Virginia in 2010 along with her husband, Jeff. The couple and their four children moved from Richmond to Martinsville in 2014 and quickly established the VIVO program in the local schools, much to the delight of students, parents and school administrators.
“In the past year alone, we made some beautiful music with students in 34 classrooms at 13 schools,” she said.
Vivo students performed in four major concert events for hundreds of appreciative attendees, with the concerts boasting 200+ performers of ALL ability levels. Two concerts were televised with an audience reach of 10,000+. VIVO serves students with cognitive/ developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, hearing/vision impaired, Down Syndrome, Autism, Emotionally Disturbed, ADD/ADHD, and trauma.
Some of the skills that the VIVO program teaches through music and arts instruction include:
- Posture, poise, presence, strength, stamina
- Visual and dramatic arts through exposure and experience
- Math, language arts, science, social studies through arts integration
- Solo, small group, and full group demonstration and performance
- Concert performance skills
- Music instruction including vocal development, classroom instruments, musical terminology, rhythmic/melodic skill development, musical genres, music composition and improvisation, guided listening/analysis, instrument identification, musical form dance and creative movement, sign language
Prillaman notedthat VIVO students demonstrate stronger academic skills, improved social skills and awareness, increased confidence, increased empathy toward others, greater ability to focus and concentrate, and improved physical capabilities.
Of the VIVO program that Da Capo runs in her school, Katrina Perry, Laurel Park Middle School principal, said, “Da Capo is one thing that I think all districts should have. It is something that is needed, especially during this time looking at the social and emotional needs of all of our students. With our unique student population that participates in Da Capo, this is something that gives them a voice.”
Da Capo Virginia is a 501c3 nonprofit music school that offers choirs, classes, and concerts for students of all ability levels. Da Capo’s mission is to provide transforming music experiences that inspire and capture passion, equip through exceptional, dynamic instruction, and champion sharing music’s profound effect with one’s community. www.dacapova.org
