Latino Arts String Program - Fantástico

Hear about the genesis and growth of Latino students in the "Latino Strings program" in Milwaukee.

Their mentor and director: Senora Dinorah Marquez

The Latino Arts Strings Program was named one of nineteen recipients of the 2008 Coming Up Taller award, presented by the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

The Strings Program is an in-school and after-school music education program for students and alumni of Bruce-Guadalupe Community School and includes over 130 participants between the ages of four and seventeen. Students learn classical music skills while learning and incorporating Latino music and traditions.

Participants of the Strings Program have demonstrated an increase in self confidence, discipline, and focus that transcends the musical instruction and benefits their academic prowess. Students' performance in the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination - Criterion-Referenced Test showed that 96% of BGCS music students are proficient or advanced in reading and 89% of BGCS music students are proficient or advanced in math studies.

The Strings Program has performed in mariachi bands, youth orchestra and guitar ensembles at over 300 concerts since the program's inception in 2002. The students have played a large number of notable venues and events including Summerfest, Fiesta Mexicana, United Way's Annual Meetings, and the State of the City Address in Milwaukee.

For more, go to:
http://www.latinoartsinc.org/Strings.htm

The Latino Arts String Program is a "Neighborhood-level" program.