DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA HOSTING INSTRUMENT DRIVES FOR ITS PROGRAM IN SOUTHERN DALLAS - NEW DROP OFF LOCATION ANNOUNCED AT TOP TEN RECORDS

Top Ten Records Added As A Drop-Off Destination for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Instrument Drive for children

New and gently used instruments welcomed to help launch the DSO’s new residency and education programs in Southern Dallas. The Dallas Symphony’s new Southern Dallas Residency will help ensure that every child in the area who wants to play an instrument has access to instruction and an instrument free of charge.

To launch the residency, the DSO is asking for your new and gently used instruments of all types – strings, winds, and percussion – to share with fledgling musicians. Each instrument donation will be tax deductible, and the DSO will provide you with a receipt for your donation.

Top Ten Records on Jefferson Blvd in Oak Cliff is an official drop off location for the project, as well as Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

“The ultimate goal is for every child in Southern Dallas to have access to an instrument, lessons and performances free of charge. This deep and long-term engagement of both education and concert-making will build relationships in the community to get everyone excited about music and the new opportunities that music can provide.” Kim Noltemy, President & CEO of the Dallas Symphony Association

Top Ten Records is the oldest record store in Dallas, TX (1956), recently re-launched as a non-profit organization, retail shop, and community space in the heart of Oak Cliff on Jefferson Blvd. Jess Garland has been working with the non-profit to develop and grow music lessons in the shop. She teaches there on Saturday mornings. "Connecting kids with instruments can change the course of their lives", says Garland, the newest advisory member for the non-profit organization as well as being part of the DSO's multi-faceted program co-designed with community organizations, educators, local artists, city officials, the local cultural community, and leaders in the region to provide instruments and instruction to children in area schools and in after-school programs; to organize DSO musicians performing concerts on weekends and evenings in the community; and encourage DSO musicians collaborating with artists in the community.

Drop Off Location: Top Ten Records 338 W. Jefferson Blvd Dallas, TX 75208

Business Hours:

Tuesday - Thursday, 12p-9p

Friday - Saturday, 12p-10p

Sunday, 12p-7p

Monday, closed

In addition, instrument owners are invited to drop off their instruments at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora Street, during the DSO’s holiday concerts or Monday through Friday during business hours.

DSO Holiday Concerts at the Meyerson:

    Star Wars: A New Hope Movie in Concert – Dec. 20-22

    New Year’s Eve – Dec. 31

Those without instruments may still contribute to this initiative. To share the joy of music, text CELLO to 41444 to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in Southern Dallas. To learn more about the DSO’s Southern Dallas Residency, visit mydso.com. This initiative is funded in part by generous support from Capital One and The Eugene McDermott Foundation.

Top Ten Records

www.toptenrecords.org

info@toptenrecords.org

Dallas Cultural Progress Grant Funds Free Guitar Instruction for Young Students

Guitar instructor with Oak Cliff Non-Profit receives Cultural Projects Program-Special Support Grant from the City of Dallas’ Office of Cultural Affairs, will offer free guitar lessons for Dallas students in summer 2017. Learn more about Dallas’ programs and grants here: http://dallasculture.org/cpp.asp

Jess Garland is a Dallas based recording and performing artist, who has been teaching guitar since 2005.  She is currently an instructor at La Rondalla, a non-profit that provides free after school music education to children ages 7-18, who would otherwise not have access to music instruction. Learn more about La Rondalla here: http://www.larondallatx.com/media

 The city grant will provide funding for beginner guitar workshops for new students every weekend during the summer months of June and July. Students need not have a guitar to participate in the program and all lessons/workshops offered under the grant will require no monetary contribution from participating families.  Beginner workshops will be offered three hours each day on Saturday and Sunday from on Saturdays from 11AM-2PM and Sundays from 2PM-5PM.  These workshops are ideal for students interested in playing guitar with minimal to no experience. In addition, individualized instruction will be available via 30 minute sessions for non-beginner students to further their abilities.  Private lessons will be scheduled on an individual basis to meet individual needs.  All participating students will be taught to read music, an ability that can be evolved to allow them to learn any instrument in the future.

Enrollment in either program will provide students access to music lessons, community performances, art exhibitions, and cultural awareness via exposure to artistic diversity at WAAS in Fair Park/South Dallas.  WAAS is a unique and exuberant new voice within the Dallas art community and is dedicated to co-creating exciting, relevant, and innovative work from significant artists hailing from local and international markets. Founded by Brandy Michele Adams, WAAS believes that art is a true catalyst for social well-being, personal growth, and all aspects of positive change. (www.waasgallery.com)

Space in the programs is limited. Students will be accepted based on need (lack of music education in current school or community) and on a first come, first serve basis.  Jess is currently accepting more applications as there are still openings for Saturday class.  Lessons started on June 3, 2017.  To apply, contact Jess Garland directly, guitarlessonsbyjess@gmail.com.   For more information about Jess, visit www.jessstrings.com