Now you can read all of the latest SSF news at our MYSPACE BLOG and go to our LINKS page for past articles and radio broadcasts. And don't forget to enjoy our VIDEOS!

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SUMMER BAND PROGRAM ENDS

Our free 6-week Summer Band Program for New Orleans music students grades 1-12 started on June 25 and ended August 3. The kids had a great time and learned a lot! We've put together some slideshows HERE and HERE. Enjoy!

In other music education news, we'll be continuing our work with the band program at Frederick A. Douglass High School when classes start again at the end of August. Located in New Orleans's 9th Ward, Douglass has a drop-out rate of 18.9% and has consistently been rated 'Academically Unacceptable' by the  Louisiana Department of Education. In addition to our training sessions with the Douglass band, this year we plan to expand our outreach with our "Deep Roots, High Hopes" program. This afterschool project will bring local professional and amateur musicians in to work with interested Douglass students so that they can personally pass on the unique cultural traditions of New Orleans music. If you want to learn more about our important work with the Douglass band students, check out the PRX documentary Rebuilding New Orleans through Music Education by David Weinberg.

YOUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL PURCHASES CAN HELP THE SSF!

Starting on August 1, eBay Giving Works will launch the "Spotlight on Education" event to generate funding and awareness for organizations dedicated to improving lives through education. We're happy to report that this year the SSF is one of their featured non-profits! For the next 2 months your eBay sales or purchases can help the SSF continue its work with musicians and music students in New Orleans. Sellers can go HERE to register for the program, list their items and then decide how much of the selling price to donate to the SSF. They also get a discount off eBay's selling fees! Meanwhile, buyers can go to the SSF's eBay page to see items they can purchase to support the SSF. Whether you're looking for back to school items or just need something for around the house, we're sure you'll find something good!

And if you do your back-to-school shopping online, remember that hundreds of merchants like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Staples, Gap, Old Navy, Sears, Macy's, eToys, Vons and more will donate part of your purchase price to the SSF -- and it won't cost you anything! Just go to FREEPLEDGE, then click through to your favorite websites using the logos at Freepledge and do your shopping. (You don't have to sign in to Freepledge unless you want to -- you just need to use the links on Freepledge to get to your online stores so that your purchases get counted).

SUPPORT OUR RECYCLING PROGRAM!

Help keep New Orleans clean and cut down on landfill waste by recycling your old printer ink cartridges and cell phones at the SSF. We've just started a recycling program, and we need your help to make it work. If you're in Orleans Parish, call us at 504-942-0495 for details and to arrange pickup. And don't forget to spread the word -- tell your friends or print out a Poster and pass it along!!

OTHER NEWS

Finally, we'd like to bring your attention to wonderful young New Orleans musician. Jenna Sherry made her violin solo debut at age 9 with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra's Young People's Concert series, and went on to become a 5-time winner of the LPO's Concerto Competition. If you're a NOLA classical music fan, you've already have had the privilege of hearing her play -- Jenna was with the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra from its beginning back in 1995 all the way through 2004, and she served as co-concertmaster from 1999-2004.

There's no question that Jenna has both the ability and the dedication to pursue her dream of a career in chamber music. But right now what she doesn't have is an instrument that matches her abilities. In order to get the depth she needs to grow and develop as a successful concert artist, Jenna needs to have a top quality concert solo violin. If you or your organization can help her achieve this goal, please contact Kathleen Tyree of the Greater New Orleans Suzuki Forum (gnosuzuki@juno.com). For more information about this rising young musical star, check out the Times-Picayune article HERE.

Funding also provided by the GNO AfterSchool Partnership.