On August 20th-21st, Project 440 will collaborate with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in presenting a seminar, Da Capo, for students in the ASO’s Talent Development Program.

Meaning “from the top,” Da Capo is an educational program designed by Project 440 to empower pre-college aged musicians with the tools they need to become engaging citizens of their communities.  Keeping in line with Project 440’s mission to create community through music, Da Capo is a result of Project 440’s endeavor to make classical music a relevant and integral part of society.  What better way to instill a mindset of thinking to an entire industry than by starting from the top, from the very beginning – the future generations of classical musicians.

The goal of Da Capo is to encourage young people in the field of classical music to make citizenship as much of a priority as proficiency on their instruments.  According to an ICSOM (International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians) study, in 2003 there were 14,601 degrees given in music with only 159 advertised positions in ICSOM orchestras.  It is impossible that every musician aspiring to perform will play in a full time orchestra.  Da Capo introduces a myriad of career paths for burgeoning musicians along with strategies for success in the music profession.  Da Capo has three main objectives:

Project 440 Artists Perform for Children in Library

• Teach young classical musicians to be ambassadors for the arts

• Share real perspective of the college / conservatory experience providing a “College / Conservatory Survival Kit” for success

• Encourage participants to create and participate in programs that engage their communities

By the end of the seminar, it is our hope that students will be excited about the future that awaits them in music.  They will be equipped with the tools needed to share their gifts both as social ambassadors for the art and as entrepreneurs in the music industry.

Haviland Stillwell, Broadway Singer and Movie & Television Actress

Stanford Thompson, Director -Tune Up Philly & TDP Alum

Clinicians for this Da Capo Seminar will include Project 440 Director,  Joseph Conyers, as well as special guest clinicians Stanford Thompson, an alum of the Talent Development Program, and Broadway star  Haviland Stillwell, movie & television personality.

Project 440 will be presenting Da Capo to other facets of the ASO Learning Community during the 2010-2011 school.  Stay tuned for details.

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