Indiana State University Newsroom

The Blues at the Crossroads Festival and Indiana State University's Community School of the Arts (CSA) present "Music For All", a recital featuring the talents of Terre Haute Boys and Girls Club students.

The event, in conjunction with the College of Arts and Sciences' Community Semester Series, is scheduled for Friday, May 2 at 5 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club, 924 N. 13th Street.

Wishing to give back to the community, Connie Wrin, CEO of the Blues Festival, donated instruments to children attending the Boys and Girls Club. The instruments included 11 guitars, one saxophone, one violin, one clarinet and one trumpet. These instruments were presented to the children on-stage at the Blues Festival last September. Recipients were chosen through a Blues at the Crossroads Music Essay Contest.

"It was very difficult selecting a handful of winners from the many essays we received," Wrin said. "I only wish we could provide all these kids with an instrument and lessons."

Through a grant received by Indiana State's Center for Community Engagement, the Community School of the Arts awarded the Boys and Girls Club students with free music lessons for one academic year. The music instruction began in September and runs through May. Each student is benefiting from one-on-one private instruction and group music classes.

"This is a wonderful program; music education helps kids develop creative and critical problem-solving skills, higher self-esteem and pride in accomplishment," said Petra Nyendick, director of the Community School of the Arts. "This is also a great experience for our instructors. They are ISU graduate and undergraduate music students who benefit through experiential learning."

The Music For All program culminates with a music recital at the Boys and Girls Club. Also performing will be the Community School of the Arts' Fusion theater students. Made possible through an Indiana Arts Commission grant, Fusion theater is a free semester-long program, offered to students at Sarah Scott Middle School.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Community School of the Arts at 812-237-2528 or visit www.unboundedpossibilities.com/csa  .

Contact: Petra Nyendick, director, Community School of the Arts, Indiana State University, 812-237-2575, petra.nyendick@indstate.edu  .