From the Archives: The Music Academy’s First Newsletter
First Published 1992.
Rockford College Music Academy
The Music Academy of Rockford College is dedicated to the philosophy that music enhances the quality of life at all ages. In our time, when technology reigns supreme, it is vital to train the unique “humanness” of each individual. Kodaly, the great Hungarian composer and educator said it well: “Music is a spiritual food for everybody…not a toy for few selected people.” The arts provide a holistic approach to the development of personality, emotion, and intellect and the study of them should be started at as early an age as possible. The Music Academy’s approach to early music education is based on the child’s instinctive and joyful love of music and involves the parent in all activities. The development of self-discipline and self-esteem through success in small step in encouraged at all levels.
The Music Academy's First Edition Newsletter
The study of music is time-consuming, keeps young people busy with productive activity, and involved with their peers engaged in similar activity. It teaches discipline, respect, for self and others, poise, and the ability to lead and the willingness to follow. The Music Academy is a safe, nurturing environment and is devoted to the development of the whole child. It is a place where people of very diverse cultural background find satisfaction and joy in working together for common goals.
The Rockford College Music Academy is a not-for-profit community school of the arts established in 1984. We have grown to serve close to 300 students from age 3 to 70 something, regardless of their ability, financial circumstance, or ethnic origin.
The Music Academy is a member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts. The first community music school in this country was established by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr in 1893 at Chicago’s Hull House. Rockford College occupies a special place in the history of the women who began the Hull House legacy, as they were among the women who attended Rockford College in the 1880’s. It was the purpose of the Hull House Music School, as it is the purpose of the Rockford College Music Academy “to enrich the lives of the individuals through participation in…music and to foster the cultural aspects of a music education.”
Music Academy relies upon tuition, grants and gifts to offset the cost of programming. Contributions are vital and always gratefully accepted. Contributions are deductible to the extent of the law.
