Resources That Engage the Latest iPod Generation Trend: Great Classical Music

Free Assistance Offered to Educators of At-Risk Youth

Raleigh, NC, August 16, 2007 --(PR.com)-- General Manager Deborah S. Proctor of WCPE, TheClassicalStation.Org, announces the bundling of WCPE’s extensive online resources to assist in elevating student performance for all grade levels. The WCPE resources at http://wwwtheclassicalstation.org provide free, easy-to-access tools for use by primary, secondary and home-school educators.

In the UCLA Americans for the Arts publication, "Monograph," James S. Catteral’s article discusses how arts education makes a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has proven to help level the learning field across socio-economic boundaries.

The YouthARTS Development Project, a joint venture by the U.S. Department of Justice, Americans for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, finds that arts education has a measurable impact on at-risk youth in deterring delinquent behavior and truancy problems. In addition, youth who engage in after school and summer arts programs targeting delinquency prevention show an increase in overall academic performance.

In response, WCPE is promoting its free online resources:

Classical Facts & News:
A WCPE website feature offering the latest classical music headlines, composer biographies, music terminology references, a music/world events timeline, as well as classical music games and quizzes.
http://theclassicalstation.org/classical_facts.shtml

Quarter Notes:
A quarterly online, printable publication featuring a complete broadcast schedule, music reviews, interviews with classical music artists, as well as biographies of composers and musicians.
http://theclassicalstation.org/guide.

Preview!:
A live broadcast, Sundays at 6 – 9 p.m. (ET), featuring the latest in classical recordings, new classical releases, interviews with today’s great names in classical music and upcoming classical events across the U.S. Live broadcasts are streamable via the Web and Previous Preview! interviews are available at http://theclassicalstation.org/preview.shtml#interviews.

Driven by the success of film scores for blockbuster movies like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, classical music listenership is on the rise among the iPod generation. According to Nielsen SoundScan, 2006 worldwide classical music sales were up a whopping 22.5 percent over 2005. Radio Joint Audience Research Limited (RAJAR), a single audience measurement system for the radio industry, reports a 52 percent increase in classical radio listenership by U.K. youth under the age of 15 during the first quarter of 2007 over the last quarter of 2006.

WCPE’s 24/7 live broadcast of Great Classical Music can be accessed across the U.S. in several ways; on-line streaming in multiple formats, including IPv6, big and small dish home satellite reception, local cable television systems and traditional radio broadcasting. A complete list of the ways WCPE is available in each area across the U.S. with instructions for cable and satellite reception can be found at: http://theclassicalstation.org/listen.shtml.

In a statement on music education, founder of the Marilyn Horne Foundation and Opera’s “High Priestess of Mozart,” Mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne says, "I am not concerned that classical music is dying but I am concerned that school children aren’t being exposed to it, especially in their schools.” The foundation’s mission is to encourage, support and preserve the art of vocal recital and related education programs across the United States. Horne is an avid listener, promoter and supporter of WCPE TheClassicalStation.Org.

Listening alone is not enough, The National Arts Education Public Awareness Campaign reports, young people who participate in the arts three days each week/ at minimum three hours a day/ for at least one full year are:

• Four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
• Three times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
• Four times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
• Three times more likely to win an award for school attendance
• Four times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

To meet the minimum criteria and achieve the beneficial results, arts education needs to be a priority for parents, educators and extracurricular program directors.

Educator Testimonials:
Barbara in Midland City, Alabama:
“I am a Remediation Teacher at a local high school. Your classical station has been a positive element in promoting a conducive environment for profound learning.”
Thomas in Tampa, Florida:
“What a wonderful discovery. Great music 24 hours a day - on the web. My office at our Fine Arts High School is always tuned to WCPE. Thanks for your contribution to the Arts.”
Alison in Berlin, New Jersey:
“We stream the classical music to listen to in our third grade classroom.”

Student Testimonials:
Andrew in Bellaire, Texas:
“I just wanted to let you all know that you have a great station and the signal is great all the way in Texas. I am a high school student and listen to you all everyday while I study. Just wanted to let you guys know you are doing a great job and the music is fantastic.”
Bo in Notrwalk, Connecticut:
“I listen to it in class during tests and during my last period journalism class. It is outstanding in its calming influence on adolescent adults. Thank you.”
Sara in Orlando, Florida:
“I love this station and all of its music. I can listen to it while doing my summer assignments for school and instantly become more focused on my work. Thank you for providing such wonderful music.”
Victor in Chicago, Illinois:
"I have been preparing for my MCAT (Medical School) examination for weeks on end and have enjoyed WCPE for weeks on end. P.S. I am pleased that I can even enjoy your broadcasting all the way in Nigeria, Rome, NY, and Tokyo - all places I might find myself at one time or another. Kudos!"
Jessie in Cambridge, Massachusetts:
"I'm currently in my 3rd year of law school, and WCPE has gotten me through each and every one of my final exam periods. I don’t know how I would have managed cramming all of the legal jargon into my head without your station in the background throughout my studying. When I graduate this upcoming spring, I know that it will be in large part due to WCPE. Thank you for helping me chug through all the law books."

About WCPE:
With a 28-year history, WCPE 89.7 FM is a non-commercial, 100 percent listener-supported, independent station dedicated to excellence in Great Classical Music broadcasting. General Manager Deborah S. Proctor’s leadership has enabled the WCPE community to include national and worldwide listeners. WCPE is one of the first public broadcasters to stream on the Internet. WCPE is heard worldwide on the Internet in multiple formats, including the next generation IPv6. Other radio stations and cable television systems may rebroadcast Great Classical Music. Quarter Notes, the WCPE Program Guide, is published four times a year as a means to enhance appreciation and understanding of classical music. It is distributed to station supporters and is also available online at http://www.theclassicalstation.org/guide. For more information, visit www.TheClassicalStation.org or call 800-556-5178.

###
Contact
WCPE
Mike Gauss
919-232-5008
http://www.theclassicalstation.org
ContactContact
Categories