The Houston Symphony Receives Grant from The Boeing Company in Support of the Bay Area League's I HEART MUSIC Programs

The Houston Symphony recently received a grant from The Boeing Company in support of the Houston Symphony Bay Area League's "I Heart Music" programs, which will be used to directly impact Clear Creek Independent School District and Boeing's arts education efforts in Houston's Bay Area.

"The generous grant from Boeing allows us to take the arts to all elementary schools in Clear Creek Independent School District at each grade level, culminating with the opportunity to hear a live performance by the Houston Symphony," said Nina McGlashan, the Houston Symphony Bay Area League education vice president. "It is a wonderful program that has impacted many lives and, thanks to grants like Boeing's, will continue to do so."

The sequential program begins in the first grade with a puppet show called "Maestro the Magnificent," where students are introduced to the sights and sounds of the orchestra. Next, classrooms in grades 2 through 4 receive visits by Houston Symphony musicians like Principal Percussionist and Associate Principal Timpanist Brian del Signore and Bay Area volunteers who work with students on examining various musical instrument families. These presentations encourage active listening and student participation regarding the fundamentals of music such as sound, melody, rhythm and harmony. The final step in "I Heart Music" finishes with a visit to Jones Hall to watch the Houston Symphony perform live, bringing together all of the elements taught throughout the program.

"Research shows that when students are involved in the arts, they are inspired to learn and deepen their critical and creative thinking skills, preparing them for excellence in work and life," said Dayni Alba, Boeing Texas Community Investor. "That is why Boeing supports the "I Heart Music" program with the Houston Symphony Bay Area League. It gives elementary students the opportunity to experience an interactive, progressive musical program."

Demand for the program is growing, which is currently supported by more than 5,000 volunteer hours, reaching more than 13,000 students in the Clear Creek Independent School District.

About The Boeing Company

Through its Global Corporate Citizenship organization, Boeing builds better communities worldwide by giving time, funding, and expertise to improve access to globally competitive learning and skills development, foster creativity, sustain the environment, and improve civic engagement. In 2012, a total of $179 million from The Boeing Company and its employees went to help improve communities across the globe. Visit the Boeing Corporate Citizenship Report for more information.

About the Houston Symphony

During the current 2013-14 Season, the Houston Symphony celebrates its 100th year as one of America's leading orchestras with a full complement of concert, community, education, touring and recording activities. In the upcoming 2014-15 Season, the orchestra begins its next century under the direction of Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada, the organization's first Hispanic music director and 15th overall. The Houston Symphony is one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Texas whose inaugural performance was held at The Majestic Theater in downtown Houston on June 21, 1913. Today, with an annual operating budget of $30.7 million, the full-time ensemble of 87 professional musicians is the largest performing arts organization in Houston, presenting more than 286 performances for 300,000 people, including 82,000 children, annually. For tickets and more information, please visit www.houstonsymphony.org or call 713-224-7575.