Students at Caldwell Elementary School in McKinney received a special treat recently, when the McKinney Musical Arts Society shared some very talented artists with them. Each year, MMAS hosts the McKinney Young Artist Competition here in our city, and this year’s festival featured Dr. David Abbott of Albion College in Albion, Michigan as its Guest Artist and Clinician for a group of highly gifted high school pianists from across Texas. As a part of its community outreach program, MMAS arranged with Caldwell Elementary to have Dr. Abbott, along with Jamie Allen, Education Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, present three delightful story-musical programs to the school’s kindergarten, first and second graders on April 12th, just prior to the Young Artist Competition itself.
Dr. Abbott and Mr. Allen teamed up to present the story of Babar the Elephant, by Jean de Brunhoff. Mr. Allen delighted the children with an animated narration of the story, while Dr. Abbott, at the piano, “told” the story, as it was read, through the exciting and playful musical interpretation, “Babar the Elephant,” composed by Francios Poulenc. Prior to the programs, Caldwell teachers had read the story to their classes, so every child was familiar with it and was able to actively participate in and enjoy the program to its fullest.
As an added surprise for Caldwell School, MMAS, through the efforts of its Artistic Director, Karen Austin, arranged with Steinway Hall of Dallas, who had donated the piano Dr. Abbott used in the three programs, to present it as a permanent gift to the Caldwell Elementary Music Department. McKinney Musical Arts Society is supported, in part, by generous grants from the McKinney Arts Commission, and as an appreciative recipient of these grants, is dedicated in its mission to not only bring outstanding classical music and artistic recognition to McKinney, but also to provide community outreach opportunities, such as this year’s contribution to one of its many exemplary schools.
Posted by Roy Austin - Board Member, MMAS