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The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) is excited to announce a new education initiative, the Alexion Toolkit for Interdisciplinary Learning, a partnership project with the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra (WSO). This all-inclusive educational module provides school teachers with the necessary tools to integrate music-learning into general curriculum.

The program will be integrated at 25 schools served by the NHSO and WSO. Participating teachers will be provided with an Alexion Toolkit that is ready for classroom use and focuses on an eclectic mix of musical heroes: Aaron Copland, Charles Ives, Marian Anderson, Theolonius Monk, Kevin Olusola, and Daniel Bernard Roumain. The Toolkit includes a prep guide for teachers with easy-to-use lessons plans explained at a teacher training workshop. Colorful posters introduce fun facts about the “heroes” and a CD of their music is provided for classroom use. A musician from one of the Orchestras will visit each school to promote the program and teach students about these musical heroes. Additionally, all teachers will be invited to a workshop on hip hop techniques presented by composer and violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain next February.

Support for this innovative interdisciplinary project comes from Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a global biopharmaceutical company who recently announced that they will be establishing the company’s new global headquarters in New Haven, CT by 2015. Alexion is focused on serving patients with severe, ultra-rare and life-threatening disorders through the innovation, development and commercialization of life-transforming therapeutic products

“We are delighted that Alexion is supporting this project that will reach thousands of students and provide teachers with a meaningful and relevant resource for arts integration” said Laura Adam, NHSO Education Director.

“We are thrilled to partner with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra for this important project”, said Steve Collins, Executive Director of the Waterbury Symphony. “Only through the power of collaboration will it be possible to touch so many students’ lives in such a creative and meaningful way. Bravo Alexion Pharmaceuticals for helping bring our organizations together!”
For additional information on this and other NHSO education programs, contact Laura Adam, Education Director at 203.865.0831 x13 or ladam@NewHavenSymphony.org.