who we serve...
Our audience comes from greater Nelson County. As a powerful art form that can bring joy and spiritual renewal, orchestral music has the capacity to strengthen communities when the music is relevant and widely accessible according to the Knight Foundation. And, while Nelson County is steeped in rich cultural and musical heritage, surrounded by the natural beauty of mountains, fields and orchards, our community needs strengthening. Nelson is a rural, sparesly populated, increasingly aged and economically challenged community with disadvantaged youth. Nelson schools have never had an orchestra program. Obesity, physical inactivity, smoking and excessive drinking and drug use are primary health issues. Our 14,850 residents, 24% over aged 65 and 19% under 18, are predominantly white with 3.5% Hispanic and 12.5% black, and 81% hold a HS diploma or higher and 25% hold BS degree or higher. Compared with neighboring counties of Albemarle, Amherst, Augusta, Fluvanna and Rockbridge, Nelson has the highest poverty rate (15.8%), largest number of households without complete plumbing (4%), highest rate of children living in poverty (21%), one of the highest rates for the Free Lunch/Reduced Price Program (53%), one of the highest teen birth rates (37 births /1000), lowest percent of students graduating on time (83.9%), a drop out rate of 6.3%, and the least number of businesses with employees, (thus limiting tax revenues, jobs and sources for nonprofit funding).
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addressing community needs...
To serve our rural, sparely populated, and economically and educationally diverse community, we hold full-orchestra conducted concerts at various locations around the county for free with donations welcomed.
Full orchestra concerts have been held at the Rockfish Valley Community Center in Afton, Miss Nelson County Pageant at the Nelson County High School in Lovingston, the JABA Senior Program at the Nelson Center in Lovingston, Tye River Elementary School PTA Multicultural Night Program, in Arrington, Lovingston Health & Rehabilitation Center in Lovingston and Unity in Community representing churches throughout the county meeting at Rockfish Presbyterian Church in Nellysford.
The Wandering Minstrels program travels to perform free outreach programs for the severely underserved (seniors, low income, and developmentally disabled.
Reduced tuition scholarships are offered to all students in the Music Magic SEP a sliding scale based on federal poverty guidelines and loaner string instruments are provided for $5/month rental fee to cover minor maintenance.
Full orchestra concerts have been held at the Rockfish Valley Community Center in Afton, Miss Nelson County Pageant at the Nelson County High School in Lovingston, the JABA Senior Program at the Nelson Center in Lovingston, Tye River Elementary School PTA Multicultural Night Program, in Arrington, Lovingston Health & Rehabilitation Center in Lovingston and Unity in Community representing churches throughout the county meeting at Rockfish Presbyterian Church in Nellysford.
The Wandering Minstrels program travels to perform free outreach programs for the severely underserved (seniors, low income, and developmentally disabled.
Reduced tuition scholarships are offered to all students in the Music Magic SEP a sliding scale based on federal poverty guidelines and loaner string instruments are provided for $5/month rental fee to cover minor maintenance.