Audience Education

Voices of Change is dedicated to educating Dallas audiences about new music by fostering and cultivating the creation of new music by commissioning and performing works by contemporary composers. An educational forum prior to each performance is taught and facilitated by the program annotator and usually includes one or more of the visiting composers. The presentation illuminates themes and styles of the music to be performed which prepares listeners for greater understanding and enjoyment of the concert and modern chamber music in general.

Education for Children

For the children of Dallas, Voices of Change collaborates with the Dallas ISD ArtsPartners program to bring performances and discussions of modern music into the public schools.

The Voices of Change teachers offer schools a choice of programming that connects social studies, science, literature, creative thinking and problem solving skills to music and the imagination. Our professional musicians lead students in the study and composition of new music based on poetry, sounds, game, stories and real-life scenarios. In addition, students explore traditional versus non- traditional uses of instruments and learn how to create their own musical instruments and compositions.

All programs are interactive, informal and typically the length of a class period. Study guides provide a review of music history and include fun activities and games to reinforce new vocabulary. In addition, the guides contain ideas for further exploration involving writing projects and other creative activities.

Composing Music – Then And Now

Although we often think of classical music as something that was written by men in powdered wigs three hundred years ago, new classical music is being composed all the time. Students learn about the lives of composers, the history of music and distinguishing characteristics of both classical and contemporary compositions. After comparing works by a variety of composers from different styles and time periods, they put their skills to the test by creating and performing their own composition.

Grades 3-5. Attendance: 10-100 students. Cost $200. Karen Moyer, soprano and member of the Voices of Change Board of Directors.

Building A Bridge To New Music

Using stories, musical games and class participation, this program demonstrates traditional versus non-traditional uses of musical instruments. Students learn how new music is created, discover ways to construct their own musical instruments from common household items and participate in the creation of a musical composition. Grades 3-12. Attendance: 15-50 students. Cost $50. Mary Alice Rich, violin/composer and member of the voices of Change Advisory Board.

Opera Comes To Life

Our musicians help students discover the amazing stories behind those operatic sounds on the stage. Believe it or not, our daily lives are filled with the kinds of experiences which can create an opera. Students learn how even a simple phone call or a children's nursery rhyme can turn into a theatrical, musical performance. In this class, they have the opportunity to imagine, design and perform in their own opera improvisation.

Grades 3-5. Attendance: 10-100 students. Cost $400. Karen Moyer, soprano and member of the Voices of Change Board of Directors.

Young Composers Project

Voices of Change Board Member, Russell Horn created the annual Young Composers Award in 1998. In 2006 the Dallas Symphony Orchestra partnered with Voices of Change and multiplied our ability to support young composers. The Voices of Change/Dallas Symphony Orchestra Young Composers Project is charged with identifying and encouraging exceptionally talented young composers in North Texas.