Brass 5, one of America’s most successful educational ensembles, brought its high-energy style to programs at Mount Olivet and Sanville elementary schools on Monday, Feb. 24, as part of Piedmont Arts’ Educational Outreach Program.
More than 600 students experienced the program, “Why Music?” an exploration of how and why music is such an integral and important part of life.
Brass 5 has been performing and educating students about all things brass for more than 30 years. With more than 3,000 educational performances under its belt, Brass 5 definitely knows how to reach young audiences. Using the public school teaching experience of its members, the group works to develop educational programs that relate musical selections to school curriculum in a fun format.
This is the 12th year Piedmont Arts has sponsored performances by Brass 5 in schools in Martinsville-Henry County.
“We love bringing Brass 5 into our schools,” said Education Coordinator Becki Williams Vasquez. “Their programs get students excited about music and how it can impact and shape our lives.”
Brass 5’s performances are sponsored by Piedmont Arts’ Kathryn Ascough Smith Art Education Fund with assistance from Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Brass 5 will perform Sounds of the Big Bands and Beyond, a public concert, on Thursday, March 5, at Piedmont Arts. A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 general admission and $10 for students (K–12). Tickets are on sale at Piedmont Arts and PiedmontArts.org.
Piedmont Arts is a nonprofit art museum in Martinsville. It is located at 215 Starling Ave., Martinsville. Museum hours are Tuesday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.– 3 p.m. Admission is free. Learn more at www.PiedmontArts.org.
