Music For A Great City

GREEN BAY - The Music For A Great City program is in its second year in Green Bay.

It's a partnership between the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra and Green Bay Area Public Schools, to get sixth-grade students more involved in music.

Musicians from the orchestra will make classroom visits to talk about their instruments and share music from legendary composers.

Students can also volunteer to become "Bucketeers" -- and are asked to play their "bucket instruments" at the Weidner Center before one of the orchestra's concerts.      

"Sixth-grade is important because here in Green Bay it's the last year they are required to take music," said Mike Stefiuk, former executive director of the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra.

"After that it becomes an elective, so we want to get to them early on and say, 'Look, the participation you have in chorus, band and music appreciation can set you up for greater, life-long learning.'"

Stefiuk, who helped jump-start Music For A Great City, says studies show students that are more involved with music can have better communication and problem-solving skills.

The Green Bay Symphony Orchestra will perform Saturday, Feb. 2  at the Weidner Center at 7:30 p.m. Click here for a full schedule.

Student "Bucketeers" from Aldo Leopold and Franklin Middle School will be playing in the lobby beforehand, and then will get the chance to watch the orchestra perform.