Thanks to a grant from the St. Croix Valley Foundation, band students at Woodbury Middle School learned from professional trumpet soloist Amy Schendel, D.M.A., and performed a piece alongside her during their May concert. Photo: South Washington County Schools
Woodbury Middle School students share the stage with a professional musician.
Young musicians at Woodbury Middle School experienced an exciting musical opportunity thanks to a grant from the St. Croix Valley Foundation, a public charity that facilitates local and regional grant programs. This past May, band students were able to learn from and perform with Amy Schendel, D.M.A. “Dr. Amy Schendel is an in-demand trumpet soloist and instructor,” says Sara O’Connor, band director. “Her skills and background will provide students with a high-quality learning experience.”
The experience is unique for middle school students, and O’Connor says she is grateful that the St. Croix Valley Foundation found value in the opportunity to award the grant and support the partnership. “I think it means a lot to students to have this special opportunity, especially early in their musical development,” she says.
Schendel, an adjunct instructor of trumpet at University of Northwestern–St. Paul, not only mentored students in the classroom, but she also joined the group onstage for a performance of Frostfire, written by composer Nicole Piunno for young musicians working with a professional trumpet player. “It’s a lot of fun to play, and hopefully students [felt] that energy and joy,” Schendel says of the piece.
While working with students, Schendel says she is hopeful students see the joy she personally gets from music and that they can feel that too. “It’s exciting to play for others and be able to share ways they can improve on the instrument,” she says.
O’Connor agrees. “When students have opportunities to flourish in the arts, they can then bring all of these skills to other parts of their lives,” she says. “Experiences in the arts can help them be positive, successful contributing members of their community.”
For the St. Croix Valley Foundation, experiences like this are why the Musical Education Grant program was formed. “Musical education enriches students academically and creatively and helps build confidence, collaboration and a sense of belonging,” says Angie Pilgrim, the foundation’s vice president of community impact. “By providing grants and resources to schools and programs, we help ensure these opportunities reach students who might not otherwise have access.”
Schendel says these possibilities help keep music going and shows students what’s possible. “We are growing the next generation of music lovers through these opportunities,” she says.
O’Connor hopes this project, along with others, helps inspire students to continue playing their instruments and being involved in music. She says the performance is more than playing an instrument, but creating a long-lasting memory. “You never know what experience might be the spark that inspires students,” she says. “When students look back on this experience years from now, I hope they remember the sound and expertise of Dr. Schendel’s playing and how they were able to be part of a special performance with her.”
St. Croix Valley Foundation
Facebook: St. Croix Valley Foundation
Woodbury Middle School
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