It offers professional development to our teachers. It offers

highly skilled musicians that come in and teach our kids. It offers an

opportunity for kids to go to Lincoln Center to see shows that they would not

probably have been able to have access to. It offers them opportunities to

continue their musical talents and abilities in the Very Young Composers.

Music is a really great way for kids to show tone and storytelling and

expression, and that's something that is a big part of third, fourth, and fifth

grade curriculum. The way it's integrated is really one of my favorite parts. Their

final shows are fantastic; they work really hard to make something that's

unique and special. Parents love it; we get a huge turnout for our final

performance — that's really great.

It doesn't just end; [there are] these once-a-week trips from their coaches and

from the musicians, and it continues with the teachers and their curriculum, to

the show, and it brings families into it. I think that's what is unique.