Last modified: Tuesday, February 26, 2008
MEDIA ADVISORY: IU partners with state music organizations in new youth initiative
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 26, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will host a news conference on Thursday, Feb. 28, at 3 p.m. onstage at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis to announce a new partnership with the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and Indianapolis-based and nationally recognized music education organization Music For All, to announce a new statewide initiative, Finding The Groove.
Finding The Groove is a virtual world where kids ages 7-12 from diverse cultural and regional backgrounds who are instrumental musicians, composers, singer songwriters and vocalists -- of any style or genre -- will be able to come and share their musical stories by uploading and sharing videos. A handful of the most exciting kids who submit videos online will be chosen to be part of the Finding The Groove concert series.
These multi-media events will be presented in conjunction with major symphony orchestras, symphony halls, and university and community arts organizations from around the country. The program launch will take place in Indiana.
The news conference will begin onstage at the Hilbert Circle Theatre promptly at 3 p.m. and will conclude before 3:15 p.m., with opportunities for questions and interviews to be conducted in the lobby following the on-stage announcement. The following individuals will provide specifics on the program and the respective roles in the project:
- Simon Crookall -- President & CEO, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
- Leslie Stifelman -- Founder, Finding The Groove, and Executive Producer of the Peabody Award-winning HBO® documentary series, The Music in Me
- Gwyn Richards -- Dean, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
- Scott McCormick -- President & CEO, Music For All
- Mary L. Luehrsen -- Executive Director, NAMM Foundation
The news conference also will be available on the internet via Live Streaming on www.findingthegroove.com for media who may not be able to attend.
In addition to the post-conference interview opportunities, Music For All's Honor Orchestra of America will be rehearsing onstage at 3:15 p.m. and TV crews and photographers are encouraged to videotape portions of this service for B-Roll or visual purposes to accompany the story. A two-minute BETA SP tape that was produced by Finding The Groove also will be provided. As always, traffic cones will be set up in front of the Hilbert Circle Theatre for media access to the event.
