Maestro James DePreist, violinist Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges, and blind pianist-composer Thomas Wiggins Bethune are just a few of the renowned black classical musicians who children can learn about at the Watts-Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club.
Launched in January by the club, the Watts-Willowbrook Music Conservatory is a free, 10-week program led by local symphony musicians who say the aim to enrich and transform the lives of inner-city children through music education.
"It's been a dream of mine to bring music education, training and instruments to the Boys & Girls club to enhance the community and also help further the education of children and prepare them for their futures," said Les Jones, the local club's executive director.
To launch the program, Jones joined forces with longtime friend and musician Billy Mitchell, executive director of the Scholarship Audition Performance Preparatory Academy; and Charles Dickerson, director of the Southeast Symphony and Inner-City Youth Orchestra.
Both say they share the same vision as Jones, with Mitchell signing on as the program's director, and Dickerson as its music director.
Mitchell managed getting instruments and resources while Dickerson was in charge of the curriculum and recruiting top-notch instructors, said Jones.
Jones said he was in charge of making sure the club had "parents, kids and engagement."
In the program, parents are told about the benefits that classical music can bring to children and families. Parents are asked to attend one or two sessions, Mitchell added.
"Also, there are rules they must adhere to: Make sure the child arrives on time, encourage consistent practice every day, provide a reasonable space for (a) child to practice, and be a motivating factor," Mitchell said. "This isn't a drop-off program; it's a family program."
The program operates with up to 30 or more students on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The 10-week schedule closes with a recital. There is a two-week interim before the next session begins for new and returning students.
"Les' idea was for us to bring an opportunity for younger children in our community to learn symphonic instruments and classical music history," Dickerson said. "Parents are tremendously excited because they realize nothing remotely close of a program exists for their kids in the community.
"Learning music is transferable into so many areas of life. It requires a heightened degree of discipline, focus and practice. It's an understanding of excellence that has not been realized before, as nothing less is expected."
There are five teachers per class, with an onsite coordinator and two parent coordinators to manage the children. The conservatory does not limit enrollment, but is dependent on donations of instruments and funding.
Due to the lack of instruments available, the children are learning how to play violins until other classical instruments are donated and introduced.
"These kids are taught by some of the best teachers I've seen, and they're all African American professional musicians," Mitchell said. "There are 40 kids enrolled right now, but we don't have enough violins. I'd like to see financial support from the African American community. We hope to one day see a competitive youth symphony."
And Jones said he hopes the symphony won't be confined to Watts, but that the children's talent can be showcased in a wide region.
The conservatory is open to beginner, intermediate and advanced students ages 7 to 18.
To learn more about the program, contact (323) 567-2278 or visit www.wwbgc.net.
Erika A. McCarden is a writer for the L.A. Watts Times.
Photo courtesy of the Watts-Willowbrook Music Conservatory.
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