Vail Valley Foundation presents First Notes Orchestra and Half Notes Chorus at Avon Elementary

The Vail Valley Foundation's First Notes Orchestra and Half Notes Chorus will help set the stage for Avon Elementary School's awards program Thursday afternoon, March 10, as the second and third graders perform five offerings to begin the program.

Scheduled for a 2 p.m. start in the Avon Elementary School cafeteria, the First Notes Orchestra is slated to serenade the crowd with their renditions of “Thriller”, “How Sweet it is To Be Loved By You”, “Ode to Joy” and “Frere Jacques”. The concert will conclude with a brass encore.

“This show will be a wonderful opportunity to witness the progress these young students have made over the course of the winter semester,” explained Jean McSpadden, Director of Education for the Vail Valley Foundation. “First Notes is a tremendous program that is truly making a difference in the lives of our young people.”

The Vail Valley Foundation's First Notes Chorus performs Thursday, March 10, at Avon Elementary School.

Introduced by the Vail Valley Foundation in the fall of 2009, First Notes is a unique arts education program that puts musical instruments into the hands of Avon Elementary School students. Based on El Sistema, the Venezuelan youth orchestra system, this non-traditional method of teaching children to play music is introducing students to the world of live performance and the concept of achieving success through hard work, dedication, determination, and passion.

Along with teachers and students, Dani Bedoni from El Sistema will also be in the audience to help celebrate the students' progress.

Members of the public wishing to attend the Avon Elementary awards program are requested to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the show as parking is limited at the school.

First Notes is a project of the Vail Valley Foundation. For additional information on either the First Notes program or other Vail Valley Foundation educational initiatives, please visit www.vvf.org or contact Jean McSpadden at (970) 949-1999.