Interactive world music program raising funds to make cross-cultural classes available to young children nationwide
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Teacher Jay Sand's global music program for small children and their families, All Around This World, has launched a rapid crowdfunding campaign with the goal of making the program's unique, experiential curriculum available to young children nationwide, regardless of their economic background. The campaign, developed in conjunction with the 501c3 independent artists' organization Positive Space, seeks support for the creation of All Around This World's curriculum materials, specifically a series of family-friendly global music CDs that which All Around This World intends to make accessible to children and teachers widely in varied communities and schools nationwide. Campaign information is available at http://www.allaroundthisworld.com/crowdfunding and will remain active until December 21st.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131202/PH25484-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131202/PH25484-b )
After backpacking worldwide with guitar in hand, Sand settled in Philadelphia, started a family, and began teaching global music to his neighbors and their small children (four months to five years old) in 2009. He has since developed a vibrant curriculum consisting of nearly 300 songs that originate from over 100 countries. All Around This World classes are available privately, but Sand is raising funds to support the creation of the materials he needs to expand the program's reach. "I've seen the effect exploring the world through music has on the children in my private classes," says Sand. "Such an open-minded sense of adventure … I want to make those opportunities available to kids everywhere."
Sand is currently conducting a pilot program to teach global music to 5-8 year olds at the Philadelphia Montessori Charter School, a public school located in the far southwest corner of the city. PMCS students face economic challenges—according to GreatPhillySchools.org, over 97% are eligible for free or reduced price lunches—but, says Sand, "There is absolutely no difference between these amazing kids and any other in terms of curiosity about the world and their enthusiasm for embracing it through songs."
This fall All Around This World has already begun to make its content more widely available through a new website (http://www.allaroundthisworld.com), an expanding set of family-friendly world-music CDs (http://allaroundthisworld.bandcamp.com) and new illustrated "musical maps" (http://www.allaroundthisworld.com/MusicalMaps). Sand will introduce his curriculum internationally on December 7-8 by webcasting a live "marathon" of 24 straight classes, through which he will present family-friendly songs and cultural dances from every inhabited continent. (http://www.allaroundthisworld.com/JayWillBeTiredButWillKeepSinging).
About All Around This World and Jay Sand
All Around This World is a unique, experiential music program for children 0-8 years old that encourages kids and their families to explore the world by enjoying great global melodies, rhythms and movement. In All Around This World classes, kids and their parents/caregivers/educators sing, dance and open their minds to people from many countries and cultures.
Press inquiries:
Jay Sand
215-913-2679
Email
Contacts:
Website: http://www.allaroundthisworld.com
CROWDFUNDING: http://www.allaroundthisworld.com/crowdfunding
– Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/allaroundthisworld
– Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AATWMusic
– Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/AATWMusic
– Store: http://allaroundthisworld.bandcamp.com