The Musical Offering is dedicated to reaching out to families throughout our local community. Due to budget cuts that have forced many public schools to scale back or eliminate music and arts programs, students in the Evanston school system have a substantial need for arts exposure. Committed to preserving music in the classroom, the MO has in the past conducted outreach programs with the Y.O.U. Foundation, Evanston Township High School, and Nichols Middle School.

In 2003, the Musical Offering forged a longstanding outreach partnership with nearby Oakton Elementary School. For five years, the MO has provided monthly curriculum-based music presentations for K-5 students during the school year. These interactive concerts, which include such wide-ranging topics as the Harlem Renaissance, Irish music composition, and jazz style, offer students an invaluable connection to the arts that would otherwise be limited by inadequate funding.

Check out our exciting presentation topics for the 2007-08 school year:

•    October: Opera – Tina Pappademos and Friends
•    November: SAI (Sigma Alpha Iota) Jazz Band
•    December: Recorder – Medieval "Roland-Related"
•    January: Lute Song
•    February: Strings – Appalachian Traditions
•    March: Pangea Jazz Trio
•    April: Hildegaard von Bingen
•    May 1 & 2: "The Song of Roland: A Music Mural" – 7:00PM

Additionally, in the 2007-08 school year, the Musical Offering plans to go above and beyond its customary musical contributions to offer something special to the students of Oakton Elementary. To celebrate five years of memorable and enriching collaboration with Oakton School, the Musical Offering has commissioned a children's opera to be produced by MO faculty and performed by Oakton's own students. Made possible by a generous grant from the Evanston Community Foundation, this exciting project will finally make its way from the outreach "wish list" to reality!
 
    Though the music itself is still in the works, a theme for the opera has already been chosen. Acclaimed Chicago composer James Falzone has agreed to write an opera based on the medieval Roland legend depicted in the newly restored WPA-era murals in the Oakton School auditorium. The opera will be entitled "The Song of Roland: A Musical Mural," and the project will involve the collaboration of Mr. Falzone, MO faculty as teaching support and members of the orchestra, and the Oakton School community. The Musical Offering is thrilled to be launching this project. Such an educational and enriching musical endeavor is sure to inspire everyone involved.

OPERA PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Song of Roland: A Music Mural
May 1-2, 2008, Evening Performance 7:00PM
Oakton Elementary School
436 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL 60202

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Speaking of our choir in residence, the Evanston Children's Choir (formerly the Musical Offering Children's Choir) is building quite a reputation in only its sixth dynamic year.  Under the direction of Gary Geiger, the

ECC's 2008 upcoming performances include:

-Saturday, February 23rd: Gather Ye Round
(as guests of CCC Neighborhood Choirs)

Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Rd., Evanston
Performance time: 3:30-5:30

-Friday, March 14th: Fundraiser Feast!
(+ junior)

Lake Street Church, 607 Lake St., Evanston
Performance time: 5-7:30

-April, TBA

TBA

-Thursday, May 1st & Friday, May 2nd: The Song of Roland: A Music Mural
(opera with MO and Oakton students)

Oakton School, 436 Ridge Ave., Evanston
Performance time: TBA

-Friday, June 6th: Spring Concert 2008
(+ junior)

Lake Street Church, 607 Lake St., Evanston
Performance time: 7-8:30

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During each academic year the Musical Offering hosts its Sunday afternoon "Coffeehouse" Series.  This is a series of free events ranging from MO faculty and student recitals to guest lectures/presentations/workshops and musicianship classes.  The core of the MO's teaching philosophy is the creation of community through music study.  As teachers, we wish to create a community-oriented context for the individual work done by students in their private lessons, thereby avoiding an isolated experience.  We believe that musical training is most effective as a shared activity.  This leads to a life-long love of music and musical expression.

The Musical Offering is committed to sharing its talents and passion for music with the community.  We are presently seeking funding for the 2007/2008 academic year.  It is our belief that the role of non-for-profit arts organizations will become increasingly important in the public schools as arts programs continue to be cut.  We intend to do our share and welcome all sponsors to share in our endeavors.

This is truly an investment in our society's future.  Call 847*866*6260 if you would like to become an outreach sponsor or for more information about our wonderful children's choir.

~The Musical Offering is supported in part through the generous contributions of McDougal Littell Publishing, Chase Bank Evanston, Chiropractic First/Dr. Elizabeth Erkenswick, Lazar's Juvenile Furniture, American Family Insurance/Trevor Pachis, and The Grand Piano Haus/Fritz Tasch.~