Vol. 2 Issue 2 | A PUBLICATION OF THE YOUNG MUSICIAN'S UNIVERSITY
KYLIE GRAY YMU STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
GEORGE WALKER CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
MIKELL SNOOKS YMU ALUM SPOTLIGHT
The Young Musician's University
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IN THIS ISSUE
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
We are so happy to be celebrating our 19th year of "Giving the Gift of Music" in March 2022! Thank you for reading our 10th issue of The YMU Collective as we transition away from an email newsletter format into a digital magazine format! This publication highlights YMU Students, Staff, and other subjects of interest with contributions from our staff as well as YMU student writers. If you are a YMU student interested in contributing and being a part of the YMU Collective Team, please send me a message through the YMU Portal. I would love to speak with you and get your insight. Please know that you do not have to be a local student to participate, we will have virtual connect meetings to discuss upcoming events and content. I hope that you enjoy this publication of the YMU Collective!
4 YMU Student Spotlight Kylie Gray
8 Remembering George Walker Celebrating Black History Month
10 YMU Alum Spotlight: Mikell Snooks
Mrs. Gray Director, The Young Musician's University 3
THE YOUNG MUSICIAN'S UNIVERSITY
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Kylie Gray CONGRATS!!
Our student spotlights recognize students who are exceptionally demonstrating growth and musically excelling. We are so grateful to be associated with these fantastic students and their supportive parents! Again, congratulations Kylie! Keep up the great work!
ABOUT KYLIE
Kylie is 4 years old and plays the piano. She also loves to sing, dance, read, and do arts and crafts. She is a very creative person and loves outside activities such as riding her bike with her family, going on walks, and playing at the park. Kylie said that she'd like to be a princess when she grows up. She often finds herself at the piano making up songs and creating new melodies like her big sister. She draws pictures to explain the songs that she creates since she doesn't know how to write yet. Kylie truly loves anything music and arts as well as spending time with family!
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My student spotlight nomination is Kylie Gray. Kylie has shown tremendous growth since starting the Little Music Essentials Piano Program. She comes to class excited to learn and full of energy each week. I love teaching her and seeing her love for music grow and develop at such a young age. I can't wait to see what the future holds for Kylie! ~ Kierra Gray, YMU Instructor
“Music enhances the education of our children by helping them to make connections and broadening the depth with which they think and feel. If we are to hope for a society of culturally literate people, music must be a vital part of our children’s education.” – YO-YO MA
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JOSHUA ADAMS - YMU EAR TRAINING ESSENTIALS 3 JUSTIN ADAMS - YMU PIANO ESSENTIALS 2A KAYLEIGH CLARK - LME PIANO ESSENTIALS 2A NIXEN ROFF - LME PIANO ESSENTIALS 1A
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Adryan Roff - February 12th Jadon Emokpae - February 13th
*If your child's birthday is not listed, please contact the office so that we can add their DOB to their student profile.
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REMEMBERING GEORGE WALKER George Walker found his love for the piano at age 5. He was the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music. He received it for his work Lilacs in 1996. But not only that; Walker was also the first black graduate of the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia in 1945, the first black musician to play New York’s Town Hall in the same year, the first black recipient of a doctorate from the Eastman School in 1955, and the first black faculty member to receive tenure at Smith College in 1961. George, a gifted student, graduated from high school at 14 and received a piano scholarship to the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. Walker died on 23 August 2018, and his most famous and performed work remains his Lyric for Strings (1946), a beautifully moving work for string orchestra. He also brought the Chevalier de Saint-Georges’ legacy to our attention in 2010, honoring him in his Foils for 8
Orchestra (Homage à Saint George).
February is Black History Month! Learn about George Walker! We encourage you to explore the many contributions African Americans have made and continue to make to the musical world. Thank you Gant School Of Music & Jazz for this contribution. Find out more about Gant School Of Music & Jazz
"Lyric for Strings"
GEORGE WALKER "Lyric for Strings" was composed when Walker was only 24 years old
This piece by Walker was dedicated to his grandmother. She died when he was still a graduate student at the Curtis Institute of Music in 1946. He completed "Lyric for Strings" after her death. It remains a most hauntingly beautiful piece where you hear both sorrow and joy! -L. Allen 9
YMU ALUM SPOTLIGHT Mikell Snooks started YMU at the age of 10 and continued until he aged out of the program at 18 years old. Since leaving YMU he has continued to pursue and achieve his goals. Not only is he an independent musician, but he has also expanded his knowledge and skills in the areas of photography, videography, and music production. Find out more about Mikell by watching his YMU Alum Spotlight video!
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Meet one of our LME Piano Students! Her name is Kylie and she's 4 years old. She loves to dance, sing and play the piano. MEET KYLIE
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music Essentials LITTLE
AWARD WINNING CURRICULUM
LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
WEEKLY 30-MINUTE PRIVATE PIANO LESSON
INTERACTIVE GAMES
MATERIALS INCLUDE FLASH CARDS, MUSIC BAG AND LESSON BOOKS
IMAGINATIVE LIVE INSTRUCTION
music Essentials LITTLE
Little Music Essentials is a piano program designed for kids ages 4-6. We use an awardwinning curriculum comprised of singing, dancing, and ear training to foster your child's love for music!
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