Through the School Partnership Program, Associate Conductor Dusty Francis visits partner schools each month throughout the year. This program, unique to the choral arts world in New York City, has reached over 1,000 students since its inception in 2006.
Due to budget limitations in public schools, many students, particularly those in low-income settings, do not have the opportunity to participate in a chorus or attend concerts. Dusty presents a series of workshops that prepare students to attend NYCMC concerts at their school.
Most of the students who benefit from these lessons and attend the Chorale’s concerts have had little to no exposure to classical music and many claimed not to enjoy classical music prior to the concert. One student said, “Before the concert I thought classical music was really boring and I never listened to it except if someone played it for me. But now I think classical music makes me feel relaxed and calm.”
Students have also said that attending one of the Chorale’s concerts changed their understanding of classical music. As one sixth grade articulately described, “I enjoy Mr. Dusty’s lessons because now I know how to sing properly and I understand the meaning behind the lyrics of the music that the New York City Master Chorale will sing.”
