Playing It Forward

March 18, 2012 at 4:38 PM

This past Sunday, March 11th an article appeared in a Cleveland local newspaper, The Plain Dealer. Margaret Bernstein, a weekly columnist had suggested in her reader’s dialog, input in “how we can improve the lives of those living in poverty", and hopefully expand it to include all classes within our society. It was a call to action for her readers.

Margaret received many ideas from her article and my suggestion was to contact Isabel Trautwein, a Cleveland Orchestra violinist who was directing a new after school program for Greater Cleveland’s youth for the performing arts called “El Sistema@Rainey”.

Isabel has done an excellent job of gathering Cleveland area businesses, musicians, instrument manufacturers, and public donors to help provide support. (we support El Sistema@Rainey, Cleveland's City Music, and Cleveland's Institute of Music by donating BowMate’s for the kid’s bows.)

This method of teaching is quickly spreading all over the US, Canada and the World. This has been successful because string teachers, musicians and volunteers believe that music does matter in improving and changing kid’s lives.

I was pleased to hear back that Margaret was very informed, had already met Isabel and was familiar with her program, and had been planning for this introduction in a future column.

Please take a moment to read Margaret’s article, view a short video of Isabel, her volunteer staff of string teachers, and the kids at Rainey.

Good things are actually happening around this world we live in. Let’s get involved in our communities and help with programs like this.

Thanks for your time,

Douglas Campbell
www.bowmate.net

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