Merit School of Music in the Community with Bridges: Partners in Music

burleyfrosty

burleybells

Merit has a very special partnership at Augustus Burley Elementary School in Lakeview because our various programs there reach students starting in pre-Kindergarten and build on this foundation to keep them involved in music-making, potentially throughout their entire career at Burley.  Much praise goes to Principal Barbara Kent and the Friends of Burley (a parent organization) who are responsible for the vision and momentum behind this wonderful curricular continuum.  This afternoon, I was treated to performances by Burley’s 4th through 8th graders who are in either the band, choir or musical theater programs.  I’m including some audio clips of my favorites from the concert!  If you click on the links above, you’ll hear the advanced band directed by Merit instructor Bryan Polacek performing “Frosty the Snowman”, as well as Burley’s choir directed by Merit instructor Linden Christ singing “Silver Bells”.  Get your mug of hot chocolate, sit by a window to watch the snow, and have a listen!