Field Elementary School Wins Pasadena Showcase House Grant

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) announced today that Eugene Field Elementary School is the recipient of a grant from the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts to help fund the school’s “Teaching Jazz to Kids” program.  Blair IB School and Don Benito Fundamental also received Showcase House grants this year. The PSHA awards gifts and grants to schools to support musically oriented programs, including music education and the underwriting of concerts.

“Our students had an amazing learning experience during this program,” said AnaMaria (Ria) Apodaca, principal of Field Elementary. “They not only learned the elements of jazz music but were able to hear the elements performed live and see the passion of the musicians.  Our kids were engaged and inspired.”

Field Elementary’s “Teaching Kids How Jazz Works” program serves 160 students in grades four through six during school; seven children participated in a guitar class after school.  The program provides students a rare opportunity to experience and learn about jazz music with the help of professional musicians.  Children learn about instrumentation, swing vs. Latin rhythm, improvisation and scales, composition and arranging, and a career in jazz music. Field’s grant totals $10,000.

Blair IB School was also awarded a grant to help stage its annual “Ovations” musical showcase. Don Benito Fundamental School’s PTA also won an award to support the school’s choral music program.

Since its founding in 1948, the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts has donated over $17 million to the musical arts.

“We always look forward to hearing from former recipients as well as learning about new musical programs in our community,” said Phyllis Wilburn, this year’s Gifts and Grants chairman. “Our ultimate goal is to fund programs that help enrich the lives and touch the hearts and minds of our community.”