Outreach
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While preserving the best of traditional education in music, the Butler School of Music also seeks to prepare students for the changing realities of the modern world. With that in mind, cultivating broader appreciation for music through community outreach is an increasingly essential component of our educational mission. We are dedicated to increasing accessibility of music performances and learning opportunities to new audiences and diverse communities. We also strive to provide enriching, real-world performance opportunities to our students, preparing them to share music with anyone in any setting. Here are some of our on going community engagement projects:
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Chamber Music Outreach Project
Teaching strategies for community engagement is a major element of the undergraduate and graduate chamber music curriculum. Each semester students enrolled in chamber music are required to participate in one of seven different community outreach projects, designed and directed by the Butler School's community outreach coordinator. In workshops, coaching sessions and outreach master classes, students develop skills for sharing music in any setting for any audience. Recent chamber music outreach projects include:
Adopted Ensemble, Introduction to Western Music, 302L
Tuesday, October 9 or Thursday October 11 ,
Chamber Music students perform and visit with non-music majors enrolled in the Music History for Non-Majors Survey course. Performers detail their rehearsal strategies, their backgrounds and aspirations, and the history of the composition they are performing.
Traffic Beats Art Retreat at the Blanton Museum of Art
Thursday, October 18, 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Audience: Culturally curious adults, cultural tourists
Format: Ensembles present informal, informative concerts with commentary in galleries and the beautiful Blanton atrium. Students will collaborate with Blanton's curators and eduction staff, along with UT creative writing students to offer an uplifting experience with music and art as an alternative to rush hour traffic.
After Party in the TPA Loft (6th floor Bass Concert Hall)
Thursday, October 18, approximately 10: 00 - 11:00 pm
Audience: TPA patrons, college students, adventurous music lovers
Format: Hour-long, informal concert offered directly after Grupo Corpo dance performance in Bass Concert Hall. This concert features a mixed bill of western chamber music, including music from Latin America.
Fright Night Scavenger Hunt Concert, Texas Memorial Museum
Sunday, October 28, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Audience: Families with children, interested in a fun weekend activity
Format: Concert unfolds in multiple stations throughout the museum building and grounds. Traveling through four floors of exhibits, families encounter various 10 – 15 minute, interactive, child-friendly performances while completing a scavenger hunt.
Forty Acres Concerts
Longhorn Village Retirement Community
- Sunday, November 11, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Heritage at Gains Ranch Retirement Community
- Sunday November 18, 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Audience: Retired people that may be unable to attend evening concerts
Format: Hour-long, "collage" style concert, featuring a variety of chamber music groups, each offering a short selection of music with commentary. Following the concert, performers will participate in a casual reception, conversing and answering questions from the audience.
Music Mornings for UT Charter Schools, Helping Hand
Fridays, November 2, 9, 16, 30, 9:30 - 11:30 am
Audience: Foster children attending UT Charter Schools
Format: Each Friday in March, one ensemble will be featured in a 15-20 minute concert during the weekly "pep rally" at TNRC charter school. These concerts incorporate commentary and invitations for audience participation, such as dancing, games, or Q&A. .
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String Project:
Heralded by musicians and educators throughout the world as one of the finest programs for the training of teachers and the development of young talent, the University of Texas String Project is sponsored by the Butler School of Music at The University of Texas and partially sponsored by the Junior League of Austin. It has received many national awards, including the First Education Institution Award for being the most significant program in strings among American universities and colleges and was named 2008 String Project of the Year by the National String Project Consortium.
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Piano Project:
The Butler School piano projects offers individual and group lessons for young pianists. The course is directed by Sophia Gilmson, Associate Professor of Music, and taught by music majors enrolled in the piano pedagogy course.
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