WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – The Wausau Conservatory of Music is continuing its mission to teach the impact of music through a free program for children.
The program started five years ago as a virtual offering, bringing music and stories to local children. It has since expanded to interactive in-person readings for nearly 200 children in Marathon County at no charge.
The sessions include sing-alongs and movement activities designed to teach children musical concepts and social-emotional skills. Dana Carlson-Kottke, a voice instructor at the Wausau Conservatory of Music, leads each session.
With help from the Marathon County Library, the conservatory selects five books per school year for use during the sessions.
The conservatory relies on community support to keep the program free. The organization hosts an annual gala to raise funds for several programs, including the musical storytime initiative.
This year’s Enchanted Garden fundraising gala will be held Saturday, March 7, at the Wausau Country Club. The gala has raised tens of thousands of dollars for students and scholarships.
Some of the money provides interactive musical story time for children who may not have access to musical programs outside the classroom.
“The main benefactors of musical story time are, of course, the students of Head Start,” Carlson-Kottke said. “The students of Head Start are often either below or at the poverty line for the state, and sometimes they are in foster care or underserved communities.”
Tickets for the gala are on sale until Feb. 23. The conservatory’s goal is to raise $50,000 or more this year.
Donations to the musical story program can also be made online.
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