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Eileen McCaffery, Executive Director of Community Music School of Springfield, and Julie Jaron, Director of Visual and Performing Arts for the Springfield Public Schools, discuss their work over five years on the Sonido Musica program, a partnership that aims to reduce Springfield’s high school drop-out rate through student engagement, leadership, and performance opportunities. What started with three public schools and 60 students has grown to 18 schools and nearly 1,000 student musicians! Now nearby Holyoke wants to replicate this model. Their goal was not to have the Community Music School replace music education in the public schools, but rather to help principals and administrators see the power of the arts working every day in their school.
Eileen McCaffery has served as Executive Director of Community Music School of Springfield since 2012, having been a CMSS Board member for 6 years prior and serving as Board President for 2 years. Ms. McCaffery received her BA from University of New Hampshire, graduating magna cum laude.
Continue reading “Episode 77: Sonido Musica in Harmony”