POW Kicks Off Intro to Instruments Program

What was your first musical experience? For most, music and instrument introduction comes in fourth-grade music class. But, what if that music program was cut and you—or your kids—didn’t have a chance to test your (or their) musical talents? The world could be missing out on the next great Taylor Swift (or fill in your favorite talented music artist).

Thankfully, the kids of Poway can still experience music through the Introduction to Instruments Program. For last six years the Poway Center for the Performing Arts (POW!) Foundation has hosted the instruments intro program, designed to offset the district cuts to the fourth-grade music program. Each year, the Foundation sponsors a team of Poway Unified School District (PUSD) high school band students who lead assemblies with all the fourth-graders in the district.

Under the direction of the band director, high school students present the various instrument groups—woodwind, brass, percussion and others—in an environment that is entertaining and engaging with an emphasis on encouraging participation.

Underwritten by the Phillip and Shauna Schneider Family Foundation, the program serves all 25 PUSD elementary schools and the four PUSD high schools, reaching approximately 2,400 students. Planning is currently under way for 2012; the program typically runs January through spring. This year, Poway High School will be joining in the musical fun too.

“District educators have deemed this program critical to the preservation of the instrumental music program in a school district held in high acclaim nationwide,” said Yvonne Dows, marketing and development manager for POW!.

The POW! Foundation was originally created to meet the cultural needs of Inland North San Diego County through an annual professional entertainment season. Additionally, the center sought to help fulfill the instructional need for Arts in Education in area schools, through such programs as in-school workshops and assemblies, classes with visiting artists, and a one-week, all-expenses paid theater camp held at the center.

For additional information on the Introduction to Instruments Program, contact Yvonne Dows at 858-668-4797 or ydows@powayarts.org.

Don’t forget about this weekend’s final free Summer Movie in the Park of the season, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Kids and parents alike can get wrapped up in Tangled, being shown on a giant screen in Poway Community Park.

The movies are a “fun and affordable opportunity to bring the community together to enjoy a family-friendly movie under the stars,” said Emily Fox, recreation supervisor for the city of Poway.

Families are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair and picnic dinner or treat. The popular outdoor movies were originally held at Lake Poway but transitioned to Poway Community Park last summer.

Parking at Poway Community Park is free. Arriving early is recommended. For more information, call the Poway Community Park recreation office at 858-668-4671, or visit poway.org.

And, what could be better than a festival filled with arts and crafts? Be sure to mark your family’s calendar for the Poway Days Festival, Sunday, Sept. 18.

The street fair will have 200 booths, arts and crafts, food and entertainment for the entire family. Put on by the Poway Chamber of Commerce, the event is expected to draw 18,000 to the family-friendly festival on Midland Road between Poway and Hilleary.

If you’d like to participate in offering arts and crafts activities, the deadline is Sept. 2. For more details, call the chamber at 858-748-0016.