Fairfield University professor wins grants totaling $70,000 to fund urban district music project | Press Releases

Laura Nash, Ph.D., director of classical music in the College of Arts and Sciences at Fairfield University, has received two grants to fund a two-year project in Bridgeport Public Schools called "Music for an Urban District: Curricular Innovation." The Dana Foundation has awarded the project $65,000; The ASCAP Foundation awarded an additional $5,000.

The Dana Foundation grant will fund a two-year project to help teachers develop a multicultural music curricula for middle school students in Bridgeport public schools. Studies show that students who are involved in a school program during their high school years are less likely to drop out. The Dana Foundation, founded in 1950, is a private philanthropic organization with interests in neuroscience, immunology, and arts education.

"If we get kids interested in music in middle school, the hope is they will continue with it through high school," Dr. Nash said, noting that the program builds on professional development provided to Bridgeport music teachers by a three-year U.S. Department of Education grant awarded to the University and the Bridgeport Public School System last year. "There's a high rate of students who don't finish high school in Bridgeport. A music program can provide them with the sense of community they need to stay in school and connect them with their teachers."

In addition are the academic benefits of studying music. "Music engages the whole brain. It's been shown that music students do better in math and other subjects," Dr. Nash said.

"Also, music provides a creative outlet for kids, and it doesn't matter if English isn't their first language. You don't need to know English fluently to be a total participant in a music class."

Funds from The ASCAP Foundation, which will be divided over two years, will be used to provide K-12 Bridgeport music teachers with sheet music for use in general music and choral classrooms. In this way, teachers will better engage their students, thus encouraging them to focus more intently on their music skills.

"The sheet music most of the schools have is dated and not engaging at all," Dr. Nash said. "The ASCAP Foundation grant will go to the teachers to establish a library of new pieces."

The ASCAP grant was made possible under the will of Rosalie Meyer, widow of Joseph Meyer, a longtime ASCAP member whose standards include "California, Here I Come."

Founded in 1975, The ASCAP Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting American music creators and encouraging their development through music education and talent development programs. Included in these are songwriting workshops, grants, scholarships, awards, recognition and community outreach programs, and public service projects for senior composers and lyricists.