Students at two more Hamilton County elementary schools, will benefit from a partnership between the district and the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera as it increases the fine arts programs available in public schools.
Since 2005, the symphony has conducted the enrichment program, Strings in Schools program at several schools, including Hixson Elementary, Big Ridge Elementary, Alpine Crest Elementary, East Ridge Elementary, and Spring Creek Elementary. This fall, Barger Academy and Orchard Knob Elementary School will join that list.
"Providing string instruction at the elementary level builds on the importance of access to arts education in schools, and creates opportunities for students to learn an instrument when private or group lessons may not be available to them outside of school," said Staci Spring, education, and community engagement manager for CSO, in a statement. "It also strengthens existing middle school and high school orchestra programs, as well as the CSO Youth Orchestras."
In 2015, the CSO established the Fletcher Bright Fund for Strings to continue to fund and support the program. The CSO's String and Wind Quintets also visits schools each season to perform education programs and every February, thousands of students attend the annual Young People's Concert at the Tivoli Theatre, according to a news release.
"The CSO has been doing great work in Hamilton County Schools for several years, through our Ensembles in Schools programs, Young People's Concerts, Strings in Schools, and more," said Samantha Teter, executive director of CSO, in a statement. "We appreciate that Hamilton County Schools and Superintendent Johnson see the value of the arts in schools, and are honored to have an official partnership moving forward."
Expanding arts opportunities for students throughout Hamilton County has been a focus of Superintendent Bryan Johnson's administration. In his first year, he hired a Related Arts Leader Teacher to inventory and over see the district's offerings and the 2018-2019 budget approved this spring allotted for additional arts teachers to be hired.
"The arts are a vital part of a well-rounded education, and the expansion of art programs was a key topic parents shared with the district in our community listening sessions last school year," Johnson said in a statement "The Chattanooga Symphony and Opera is a very valuable resource for our schools, our children, and the community."
Contact staff writer Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.