Celebrating LCS Strings | Highlights

The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation (GLCF or Foundation) hosted an event “Celebrating Lynchburg City Schools Strings - Past, Present, and Future" event on April 20 at the Academy Center of the Arts Historic Theatre.
Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor David Glover served as emcee and speakers included Kathryn Yarzebinksi, President & CEO of The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation; Dawn Wise, Executive Director for Lynchburg City Schools Education Foundation; Dr. Crystal Edwards, Superintendent of Lynchburg City Schools; Michelline Hall, Chief Programming Officer at the Academy Center of the Arts (ACOA); Phinees Robert, ACOA Artist in Residence; Drs. Bob and Terry Brennan, founders of the Ginger Paris LCS Strings Fund and honoree Mrs. Ginger Paris, Director of the LCS Strings Program.
The Lynchburg City Schools Strings Program is the only program in the Commonwealth of Virginia that offers free Suzuki violin lessons to all K-5th grade students and orchestra to all 6th-12th grade students. Currently, over 850 students (over 10% of the student population) are involved in the LCS Strings Program.
A volunteer steering committee led the fundraising campaign and event planning. Local businesses stepped up to offer their support and to match donations. Over 75 alumni of the LCS strings program sent in testimonials, speaking to the profound impact the program had on their lives. From this, a 20-piece LCS Alumni Orchestra was formed to perform two pieces for the event, conducted by Linkhorne Middle School orchestra teacher, Mr. Jim George. Five esteemed LCS strings alumni were unable to return in person, but sent in videos and quotes to be shared.
For more information:
www.lynchburgf...
To contribute to the Ginger Paris LCS Strings Fund
www.lynchburgf...