29135: BRA Starts Classical Music Program for Kids in the Bateyes. (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: The Batey Relief Alliance <bra@bateyrelief.org>

BRA STARTS CLASSICAL MUSIC PROGRAM FOR KIDS IN THE BATEYES.
http://www.bateyrelief.org/mt/2006/09/bra_starts_classical_music_pro.html

MONTE PLATA, Dominican Republic, August 18, 2006. Early in the mornings, BRA's 
new Medical Center located at Batey Cinco Casas is usually bustling with sounds 
of busy receptionists, doctors, nurses, patients chatting and children playing. 
But in the last two weeks of August, a new and unusual sound was added to the 
environment. Only a few meters away from the waiting room, at the Center's 
dormitory where Dominican doctors and international volunteers lodge, some of 
the youngest neighbors of the clinic gathered to learn the cello. "Through 
music, the children can develop the discipline they will need in their later 
professional years," said Ulrick Gaillard, CEO of the BRA and also an 
accomplished cellist.

Vilma Peguero, a Dominican musician who resides in the US is working with the 
BRA on a pilot project to bring music lessons through the Suzuki method to 
children who live in impoverished areas of the country, including the bateyes. 
BRA is the first institution to undertake such an initiative inside the 
bateyes. During the two weeks, Vilma arrived early every day to welcome an 
eager crowd of nine children. The daily sessions comprised an intensive period 
to introduce the instrument (the cello), impart musical knowledge and teach 
practice exercises. Two cellos remained at the house of a neighbor of the 
clinic where the children could go in the afternoons to complete their cello 
assignments. Now that the two-week period has ended, the students will travel 
once a week to the capital for the rest of the year to continue their the 
lessons with professor Angela Algrouin. Vilma explained that after a year, when 
a commitment to the instrument has been established, the children could receive 
a personal instrument to keep. "There are also plans to expand the program to 
violin instruction -- and to eventually create a mini orchestra made of 
children with limited economic opportunities," concluded Gaillard.

BRA needs your support in money to pay for the kids' private lessons and their 
ground transportation from the bateyes to the country's capital. Cash donations 
can be made payable to Batey Relief Alliance, P.O. Box 300565, Brooklyn, N.Y. 
11230. We also welcome donations in violins, cellos and violas. For more 
information, please contact Ulrick Gaillard at bra@bateyrelief.org or 
917.627.5026.

---------------------------------------------
The Batey Relief Alliance (BRA)
Ulrick Gaillard, J.D.
Chief Executive Officer
P.O. Box 300565
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230-0565 USA
Tel: 1 +917-627-5026 in New York City
Tel: 1 +809-961-2948 in Santo Domingo
Email: bra@bateyrelief.org
Website: www.bateyrelief.org