Opus 118 Harlem School of Music To Open in September At Limited Capacity
EAST HARLEM, NY (September 1, 2010)—Opus 118, the nationally and internationally renowned East Harlem music school, will open September 20th, 2010, with limited program services, the school officials announced today. Hard-hit by the current economic climate, the school will expand its programs as additional funding becomes available.
“Like many nonprofits, Opus 118 has seen a significant decrease in funding in this difficult economic environment,” said Nathaniel J. Sutton, Chairman of the school’s Board. “Parents, alumni, Board members and staff are working hard together to raise the funds needed to support the complete Opus 118 teaching program.”
Sutton noted that because of the economy many contributors who have traditionally donated to support the school have either decreased or completely curtailed their contributions. To support the school and further the music education of their students, employees of Opus 118 have agreed to pay cuts and the Board has slashed expenses. Students also performed at special events in the spring throughout the City to help raise funds needed to open this fall.
“We are pleased to be able to open the school in September, even on a limited basis,” said Sutton. “We urge anyone with an interest in the future of this remarkable school and the talented and dedicated children who study here to join us in our quest to fully fund the program. We continue to pursue new funding sources and, as funds come in, we will add programs until we are back to normal.”
“Opus 118 operates with a minimal support staff, and we could not retain several talented faculty members because of the ongoing economic crisis,” Sutton said. “Because of the limited funding, private instrument lessons will start in October rather than September. Other group classes like chorus and Music Within will not resume at least until January, when we hope Opus 118 will have the financial resources to support these programs.”
Opus 118 normally serves about 700 students who range in age from 2 to 18. The school’s ensembles regularly perform throughout New York area and beyond. Earlier this year Opus students performed at El Museo del Barrio with world-class performers Diane Monroe, Mark O’Connor, and Nuttin’ But Stringz. Last year the students played at President Obama’s Children’s Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC. This year three Opus students were accepted to study at the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts.
Opus 118 students also performed for Meryl Streep at her induction into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Streep starred in the movie, “Music of the Heart,” a dramatization of Opus co-founder Roberta Guaspari’s crusade to create Opus 118 after New York City curtailed music programming in its curriculum in the 1990’s.
The school has been the subject of features in Vogue magazine and The New York Post as well as WPIX Channel 11 News and NBC Nightly News.
Recognizing the need for innovative programming, especially in tough economic times, Opus 118 focused on the Community Programs Initiative. CPI enables community organizations like Addie Mae Collins Community Head Start, Association to Benefit Children, Harlem Children’s Zone, Harlem Village Academy, Sisulu Walker Charter School, and Union Settlement Association to partner with Opus 118—sharing resources, reducing costs, supporting jobs, and providing high quality programming to members of the community. CPI grew from 50 students to 220 students in one year.
More information about Opus 118, its students and programs is available at the school’s website, www.opus118.org. Potential donors and others who wish to assist the school should contact:
Karen Geer
Interim Executive Director
kgeer@opus118.org
212.831.4455
For more information, see Opus 118’s website, www.opus118.org
If you would like to make a contribution, please mail your check to:
Opus 118 Harlem School of Music
103 East 125th Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10035
