Upbeat New Hampshire is a program for social change with a commitment to provide equity in access to string music education in the Nashua, New Hampshire community. Upbeat New Hampshire works in partnership with United Way of Greater Nashua and the Nashua School district to provide an inclusive string program in the Nashua Schools and surrounding communities. We offer 30 weeks of semi-private lessons for string students at their school for all levels of experience and provide full scholarships to nearly 100 students. Our after-school ensemble and strings of our Youth Orchestra meet weekly. Semi-private lessons are offered in seven of the twelve elementary schools and to our Middle School and High School students. We are on the road to meeting our goal of developing a high school orchestra and regional youth symphony. In the summer students attend "Strings Summer Week." Our teaching artists have extensive experience as performers and educators. Our teaching costs are paid with grants and private donations and the 175 instruments for the program are also supported by grants. We appreciate support from the Nashua Education Foundation, Nashua Arts Commission, United Way, New Hampshire State Council for the Arts, National Endowment for Arts, Nashua Rotary, Rotary West, Nashua Arts Commission, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, D'Addario, Ella Anderson Foundation of Mellon Bank, and Kings' daughters benevolent trust. Before the string program began, no string training existed in the Nashua schools. The program complements existing band programs and enhances the regular classroom program, teaching children to focus while learning how to read music and play an instrument. It enables a child to be part of a group of peers playing the same instruments, working as a team. While learning to play, the students have a creative outlet and a way to express themselves, stimulating creativity and productivity. Students that are engaged in music and the arts are less prone to addictive behaviors. Students from any economic or cultural background have the opportunity learn a string instrument and participate in the ensemble experience. United Way of Greater Nashua is the fiscal agent for Upbeat New Hampshire. It is a community program welcoming minorities, immigrants, and all young students in the Greater Nashua area. Advisors:
Claudia Hernandez, Nashua Fish Hatchery, Spanish translator for Upbeat New Hampshire
Anne Egan, retired violin teacher, Symphony NH violinist
Carol Marine, Citizens Public Housing, Massachusetts
Kristin Olsen, Director of Bands, Nashua High School North
Christine Reel, Chair of Parent’s Committee, Upbeat New Hampshire
Margaret Flynn, endocrinologist, Parent
Laurie Spira-Savett, Director, People and Culture, New Hampshire Public Radio
Special thanks to:
United Way of Greater Nashua
http://www.unitedwaynashua.org/
The Nashua Education Foundation
http://www.nashuaeducationfoundation.org/
Daddario Foundation
https://www.daddario.com/
Fiddledogs
http://fiddledogs.com/
Nashua Rotary
http://nashuarotary.org/
Nashua Arts Commission
http://www.nashuanh.gov/346/Arts-Commission
New Hampshire State Council on the Arts
https://www.nh.gov/nharts/
New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
https://www.nhcf.org/
