Letter from QCSO Interim Director, Michael A. Harring

Arts Education Week is September 10-16    Designated by Congress in 2010, National Arts in Education Week begins September 10th. The research is undeniable.  When schools and communities embrace the arts - dance, music, theatre, visual and media arts - students benefit, educators are more effective, and communities are enhanced.   Studies show that students who participate in the arts during their middle school years are more likely to be civically engaged when they are adults than students who did not participate in the arts.  Students who participate in the arts also develop skills that make them more productive in the workplace.   The Quad City Symphony Orchestra works with schools and provides support for music education in many ways.  We support five youth ensembles and a children’s choir. We host a symphony day for elementary schools and we work with schools and educators to provide private lessons.  Throughout the year, musicians from the QCSO make classroom visits.  As part of this regular program, musicians from the QCSO will be visiting schools in Moline, Rock Island, Bettendorf and Davenport during Arts Education Week.    We encourage all citizens of the Quad Cities to get involved and support arts in education.   Michael A. Harring Interim Executive Director Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association