The Siskiou Institute - Artists In The Schools

The Siskiyou Institute Artists-in-Schools program began in the winter of 2006 with a small donation from the Ashland Schools Foundation and continues to grow. This program fills an important need for students and music teachers alike in the southern Oregon area who have been affected by continuing budget cuts to the Oregon public schools system. Music and art programs are always amongst the first programs to be cut when budget money becomes tight. Yet, music and the arts are a vital part of every child’s well-rounded education and all disciplines overlap in many ways. Music is intrinsically linked to poetry, history, mathematics, cultural traditions, drama and basic listening skills just to name a few.

This program gives students an opportunity to meet with, hear, interact and study with professional musicians and music educators from the Rogue Valley and beyond. It also gives our music teachers the chance to further develop and enhance their teaching methods, compare and exchange ideas with other teachers and to learn about new teaching techniques. This comprehensive education program is designed to utilize music to reinforce and expand basic curriculum through exposure to performances, hands-on workshops, and residencies with professional artists.

"Thanks so much for enriching the musical life of my son, an experience he will never forget. These opportunities are special and hard to come by in our rural location, and we are very grateful. We look forward to more in the future"... David Young

"It was an amazing experience to see such a fantastic group of musicians play together and get the chance to work with a guitar legend like Ralph Towner"... David Kelly - SOU student

“The Men of Worth gave us not only the chanced to listen to beautiful music and learn how it’s played, but also a lesson in their rich cultural traditions. Their visit was interesting, informative, and entertaining; certainly an experience worth repeating.” … Ellizabeth Wood

“I can’t say how much this has inspired my teaching and the way I present concepts to my students.” ... Kirsten Morton - AHS Director of Bands

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UPCOMING CONCERTS & WORKSHOPS

PAST EVENTS

Drummer Bill Mintz with students at Crater High School in Central Point	Guitarist Mimi Fox and bassist Bill Douglas at North Medford High School
The Tiptons Saxophone Quartet with students at South Medford High School	Guitarist Ralph Towner with SOU guitar students
Brazilian music workshop at North Medford High School with Harvie Wainapple and Carlo Oliviera	Musicians from the OSF production of the Clay Cart at John Muir Middle School