Young Audiences of Indiana
3050 N. Meridian StreetIndianapolisIN46208317-925-4043317-925-0654

Program: Orchestra Training Program Year Started: 1993 Focus: Music Youth Served: 25 Ages: 13-18 Budget: $16,400 Young Audiences chapters across the country are well known for providing daytime educational performing arts programs for school children. But when Young Audiences of Indiana perceived a need to bolster the public schoolsĖ string instruction program and to reach at-risk youth, a summer music instruction program was created in seven distressed Indianapolis neighborhoods using City Incentive Funds. Initially, students met 3 days a week for 3 hours for small group lessons and ensemble practice at local universities, churches and a community center. At the end of 6 weeks, the ensemble presented a concert. The first grant was extended to permit Saturday sessions during the school year. Subsequent funding was provided by Thomson Consumer Electronics. The program now provides an intensive summer camp, designed to solve transportation problems and provide opportunities for youth of different musical levels to work together. In addition, Young Audiences runs a 9-month program offering individual lessons after school at individual schools. "We are dealing with students who have other problems in their lives, who have little constancy," explains Executive Director Anna White. "The program focuses on the particular needs of the students, providing them with an incentive to excel and to work hard and see the results of their hard work."