TAMIU Partnership Brings Early Childhood Music Program to Larga Vista Children

Instead of passively listening to music, Larga Vista children from ages three to five will have the chance experience the world of music at the Larga Vista Community Center thanks to a partnership program that involves Texas A&M International University.

"We are very pleased to start this new partnership to improve the quality of music education in small children. As an advocate for the importance of early music education, we hope that this will be the first of many community areas in which the wonderful experience of music is offered to young children," explained Dr. Gilberto Soto, TAMIU chair of the department of the Fine and Performing Arts and associate professor of music.

The new program is the result of a grant partnership between TAMIU, the Even Start Program, Texas A&M Research Foundation, and the Texas A&M Colonias Program's Center for Housing and Urban Development.

Dr. Soto, who also serves as the program's grant coordinator, explained that some of the goals for the program include increasing aesthetic, cognitive and motor skills learning through early childhood music education activities, increasing cultural awareness, developing an appreciation for the fine arts, and using music as a learning tool for several subjects, including English Language Learners. TAMIU senior and graduate students will teach the classes.

Other established music programs served in the past include Salvador Garcia Middle School in Rio Bravo, Los Obispos Middle School and Bonnie Garcia Elementary School.

For more information, please contact Soto at 326.2649, e-mail gsoto@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts room 217C.

University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.