For the love of music, education

For the love of music, education
Riverside’s Friday Musicale has a rich history of providing children’s programming to the community

When the onset of COVID-19 forced the international performers to cancel their visits to Jacksonville to perform at Riverside’s Friday Musicale, the nonprofit decided to it needed to pivot, to do something different.

“Our venue depends on a Cultural Council grant and venue rentals for weddings and social affairs to maintain the facility and programs, however, event cancellations in 2020 greatly reduced revenue,” said Janet Withers, stewardship coordinator of Friday Musicale. “We realized we needed to do something out of the box. Something bodacious.”

In reviewing the history of Friday Musicale, the nonprofit’s board and staff recognized the organization had a long-standing tradition of being a community partner with local schools, but noticed that, for some reason, there was a gap of a few years in its seeking out local outreach opportunities. “We noticed in our history that we had done it before, and it was very popular. We recognized it is a new year, and we are coming out of this pandemic,” Wither said.

That meant looking to what was going on in its own backyard, which ultimately resulted in a new campaign, “Save Live, Local Music.” The campaign includes partnering with local musical groups such as the Ritz Chamber Players, the University of North Florida Vocal Department, and local performing ensembles in jazz, Dixieland, and classical music.

It also means adopting a local school – Central Riverside Elementary – to continue its long tradition of providing music education and scholarships. Through the partnership with Central Riverside, Friday Musicale hopes to encourage children, parents, teachers, and staff to attend its concerts as it seeks to bolster the school’s musical studies program, provide onsite concerts at the school, and support school violin instructor Chris D’Avilo and his music students.

Riverside’s Friday Musicale has a rich history of providing children’s programming to the community
Riverside’s Friday Musicale has a rich history of providing children’s programming to the community

A kindergarten through fifth grade school, Central Riverside is a Title 1 school that serves 190 students. “We look forward to engaging with the students, parents, and staff in the music programs and the general curriculum,” said Dr. Susan Conroy, a Friday Musicale board member and retired music educator who often volunteers at the school. In the nonprofit’s newsletter she encouraged Musicale members to volunteer in the school library, classrooms, and during special events at the school. She also is encouraging them to donate school supplies, provide invitations to free concerts, and provide children’s programming in spring and summer 2021.

“Principal Dinah Stewart, Assistant Principal Monifa Campbell, Guidance Counselor Jeanette Hawthorne serve a diverse Title 1 school,” Conroy said. “There are specific needs, both for teachers and students. We will have a donation box at future March concerts.”

The Wish List for the school includes writing paper, notebooks, pencils, and individual hand sanitizers, spare coats in all sizes, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, spare clothing, pants, t-shirts, as well as boys’ and girls’ underwear for rainy day change outs. Meanwhile, Central Riverside’s library needs scholastic-leveled reading workbooks and group reading texts.

“Friday Musicale met with the leadership team at Central Riverside Elementary to discuss a community partnership to provide enrichment opportunities in music and theater for our families and to provide volunteering opportunities on campus,” said Central Riverside Elementary Principal Dinah Stewart. “As soon as the CDC lifts some of the restrictions, we will be reaching out to Friday Musicale for PTA activities, providing support in our art and music classes, just to name a few. Over the past holiday season, Friday Musicale provided refreshments to our faculty and staff. Partnerships have always been an important resource for our school. We appreciate Friday Musicale for all its support.”

Friday Musicale has maintained scholarships and partnered with schools to host children’s programming for decades. Examples from years past include UNF’s Opera in a Box program, “Fairytales with a Twist”, Friday Musicale’s “Le Chevalier: the African-American Mozart”, Jazz Camp for ages 9 to 90, Master Classes with performers, and Outstanding Young Pianist Competitions.

“Reaching out to children and their families at Central Riverside encourages young people to appreciate classical, jazz and world music in a grand setting with top-level performers,” said Dr. Eric A. Becher, Friday Musicale’s executive director, music educator, and conductor.

Friday Musicale’s spring season schedule will be announced in February and will showcase such groups as Ancient City Brass Band, the UNF Vocal Department, and other prominent ensembles to bring live music to audiences. The auditorium has socially distanced seating, masks required, and sanitizer stations available. For more information, to donate, or to attend a concert, visit www.fridaymusicale.com or call the venue office at (904) 355-7584.

By Marcia Hodgson
Resident Community News

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